Nurses smoking weed?

sbustamante · Apr 24, 2016

Nurses should not be afraid to lose their license if they smoke. Other professions do not and the War on drugs is a planned political joke.
Now, what were talking about ... and where are those Oreos?

I have them ðŸ˜œ

MagicShell · Apr 24, 2016

Cannabis has come a LONG way from the days of smoking through a coke can or a hollowed out apple. Although I'm not a smoker myself, I know several people who use cannabinoids as a means of relief of many different ailments; some treatable (PTSD, spinal injury), and some non-treatable (terminal cancer). None of them smoke. They use edibles, vaporizers, tinctures, etc. It's incomprehensible to me that so many supposedly "educated" intelligent medical professionals continue to place their faith in pharmaceutical corporations and the products they push on our society. We have been taught to believe that smoking marajuana is a gateway to other drug use, etc., which it very well may be. Yet it is a fabulous distraction from actually promoting further medical research and the production of safer and more economically viable medications. With substances such as heroin and meth rampant within cities across the US, weed is the LEAST of our problems. Its "high" time we quit with the hype, take a step back, and see how the new partial acceptance of this ancient drug might evolve.

Nursynursenurse, ADN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

Pot has been shown to impair judgement. Isn't that why we like it?
The coffee argument is a straw man. Unless you drink a gallon of coffee it is not going to be detrimental to your thought processes.

If you smoke to the point you get high then yes it will impair judgement. You are assuming people only smoke to "get high". Are you denying that there is a therapeutic range for marijuana because its illegal? That people who use in small amounts cant reap the benefits without impairing judgement? Claiming that everyone under the influence of pot is high is like saying someone who drinks a glass a wine with dinner is smashed.

Caffeine is a powerful substance widely used with little detrimental effects and that was my point. The other poster said no one should drive under the influence of ANY substance. There are plenty of mind-altering safe OTC and prescription substances people drive under the influence of every day. Just because you ingest a chemical does not make you "impaired". In some cases (caffeine), you have an advantage over sleepy non-users and have period of enhanced cognition.

Farawyn · Apr 24, 2016

If you smoke to the point you get high then yes it will impair judgement. You are assuming people only smoke to "get high". Are you denying that there is a therapeutic range for marijuana because its illegal? That people who use in small amounts cant reap the benefits without impairing judgement? Claiming that everyone under the influence of pot is high is like saying someone who drinks a glass a wine with dinner is smashed.
Caffeine is a powerful substance widely used with little detrimental effects and that was my point. The other poster said no one should drive under the influence of ANY substance. There are plenty of mind-altering safe OTC and prescription substances people drive under the influence of every day. Just because you ingest a chemical does not make you "impaired". In some cases (caffeine), you have an advantage over sleepy non-users and have period of enhanced cognition.

Come on. You knew what he meant.

allnurses Guide · Apr 24, 2016

So if it was federally legalized which I do believe will happen the near future would anyone think it much different than a beer or glass of wine? Just out of curiosity to add to the discussion.

I see a huge difference between smoking pot and sipping wine or beer.

snapple95 · Apr 24, 2016

I am currently out on disability, for 4 years now. (my license is currently on hold due to medical reasons). I have persistent nausea & vomiting, myasthenia gravis, SLE, and a whole other slew of medical problems. The poly-pharmacy is a huge problem and concern of mine, at one point (prior to MMJ) I was on 33 medications daily, most of them 4 -6 times a day. Since starting MMJ I have been able to stop 7 prescription drugs. You can NOT tell me that you really think the side effects from those 7 medications are equal or less harmful than use of MMJ (especially if you knew how many liver and kidney complications some of those medications have caused me).

Prior to getting ill, I still have been a supporter of marijuana - I think acetaminophen has potential to be far more harmful and dangerous than marijuana does. I get that from the countless number of teens I have seen all around the country (traveling ER nurse) who took a bottle of tylenol for attention seeking. Close to 20% of them having ended up in the PICU and on the liver transplant list. I also believe that as marijuana legalizing and use increases, that we will see a decrease in prescription drug abuse. A decrease in prescription drug use & abuse could have a significantly positive impact on the current issues we face with heroin. Take a moment to think about the cycle that is commonly seen with (now) heroin users.

And as a side note: The more legalization of marijuana allows for legitimate studies to be done. This is important for everyone, but I believe will allow for peace of mind for those who may have misinformed bias against it. Additionally this could allow for deeper studies to see if any illnesses or diseases can be reduced or even eradicated - information we will never have without proper studies and studies with a substantial number of patients (vs. the bare minimum).

I see a lot of misinformation roaming around on this post and thought I would provide some active bills and laws in CONGRESS that have been introduced or passed.

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015 S.2237 S.2237 - 114th Congress (2

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I don't indulge in anything of the sort. But in theory, if I was going to, and I were in a legal state, I'd make sure I had a couple days off afterward to a- make sure it's completely out of my system and won't affect my work in the least. b- you can test positive for a few days after you use it. Even though it may be legal to use, you can't be under the influence working.

Probably a good thing you don't indulge as you might be in for a rude awakening if you are thinking a couple days is long enough for it to clear your system. Depending on the frequency and amount smoked along with other factors it can take several weeks.

ps in case you care, no I don't partake. Haven't since high school and that was over 30 years ago.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

So no one is addressing the fact that it's legal in WA State? LEGAL. It doesn't matter what you think/feel about it; it's a LEGAL drug that can be smoked outside of work recreationally. And other states are going in such a direction....
Do any of you know nurses who smoke tobacco? I do. And that one baffles me more than any other.

That doesn't mean a facility can't/won't fire you if you test positive. I linked a story earlier about a man who was fired in Colorado, where it's "LEGAL" to consume. He took it all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court, and he LOST. The court ruled that his company had the right to fire employees who test positive for THC, no matter that it is legal in his state.

As far as nicotine goes, many facilities will decline to hire a nurse who tests positive for it, LEGAL though it may be.

The legality of weed in this discussion is irrelevant, as far as being hired/staying employed as a nurse goes.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I don't indulge in anything of the sort. But in theory, if I was going to, and I were in a legal state, I'd make sure I had a couple days off afterward to a- make sure it's completely out of my system and won't affect my work in the least. b- you can test positive for a few days after you use it. Even though it may be legal to use, you can't be under the influence working.

Probably a good thing you don't indulge as you might be in for a rude awakening if you are thinking a couple days is long enough for it to clear your system. Depending on the frequency and amount smoked along with other factors it can take several weeks.
ps in case you care, no I don't partake. Haven't since high school and that was over 30 years ago.

Hair follicle tests can detect it as far back as 90 days or more. My D worked as an intern in the energy sector, and all of the interns, no matter which company they worked for, were screened for drugs. They did urine and hair follicle tests. Her close friend had been offered a great job as a result of his internship, but it was just rescinded after his hair follicle test was positive for weed. He is about to graduate from college with a degree he may or may not get to use as a result of this.

As long as industries test for drugs and decline to hire people (or fire them) if they test positive for THC, it really doesn't matter if we think pot is better than alcohol, if we are impressed by its medicinal benefits, if we have a prescription for it, or if we just think these policies are unfair. The fact of the matter is that legal or not, nurses who smoke pot or ingest it in other ways do so at their own professional peril. So it comes down to risk/benefit, I guess.

chopwood carrywater · Apr 24, 2016

Are we being punked?
First of all, if I did, I surely wouldn't be posting about it here.
Secondly, I don't drink or smoke. After caring for patients that do both, I don't think I ever can.
I love my liver and lungs too much.[/QUOT
so far from what I've read posted here on this topic, I find it quite limiting, to say the least. It will become federally legal. Most states it IS legal. I think we all can agree smoking anything is bad for our health, but there are other ways to consume Marijuana. I personally don't, but once educated on Marijuana and it's medicinal benefits, you will realize it is used for seizures, pain, depression, etc and on and on. Edibles, vaporizing, etc. It is less stinky. The Cannibidiols are what contains the healing properties. Marinol has been around for years in pill form, but with limited prescribing my providers due to either stigma or ignorance, or both. It is ridiculously a schedule A, higher than Cocaine. I have never, nor will I ever, see an overdose of death from Marijuana. Come on, people, wake up and get a clue. There will have to be some way to place limits on Marijuana prior to work, as we don't go to work drunk or under the influence of anything and there are tests for that. With Marijuana that sticks around in your system, in your fat cells, but where you are not under any influence would be complicated for testing.
I think everyone should calm down. I don't personally like many things, but if it doesn't affect me at work or in my personal choices, then I do not care. I don't like Rum, or Whiskey, or black sneakers. If others do, that's fine. More for them. I think as nurses, we should stop being so judgmental.
Look up Sanjay Gupta's story on Charlotte's Web
Marijuana stops child's severe seizures - CNN.com
He admits he has been wrong about Marijuana. There's so much information out there, just research and learn. It will be rescheduled and won't be listed as a "narcotic," one day, probably sooner than later. The government has a PATENT on Marijuana, so of course it will be legal once they can get the taxes for it. Big business will be booming. Think of this as the prohibition era, it is coming. Don't be narrow minded. Like I said, I don't personally like it, but since there are medicinal benefits, it is just ignorant to ignore.
I have started reading a book by David Casarett M.D. Titled Stoned: A doctor's case for medical marijuana.
He is a palliative care physician and teaches at University of Pennsylvania med school.
As a hospice nurse, I have had many patients using different strains for various types of symptoms. I also have patients and families asking me about it. I am hoping to pass on the book and information to our hospice Drs. They have expressed interest and concern on the subject but I'm not sure if any of them would take on prescribing medical marijuana to a pt.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I have started reading a book by David Casarett M.D. Titled Stoned: A doctor's case for medical marijuana.
He is a palliative care physician and teaches at university of Pennsylvania med school.
As a hospice nurse, I have had many patients using different strains for various types of symptoms. I also have patients and families asking me about it. I am hoping to pass on the book and information to our hospice Drs. They have expressed interest and concern on the subject but I'm not sure if any of them would take on prescribing medical marijuana to a pt.
The problem my Medical Director has with medical marijuana is that at this time there's no standardized dosing system. He's just not comfortable with "ingest as desired to alleviate symptoms" as dosing instructions.

tmremramr, MSN · Apr 24, 2016

I agree, I can't even take a benadryl to get to sleep and not wake up in a fog...cant imagine what weed would do to me. However I think our mmj policies need revamped for our patients!