Nurses smoking weed?

NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I like the idea of legalizing it so that we can do proper research on marijuana's treatment benefits, therapeutic dosages, types of side effects and how common those effects are. Individual cases are interesting, but don't have a lot of muscle when it comes to persuading me of a substance's legitimacy. I do have a slight apprehension that drug companies would get overzealous and try to patent strains, limit access, and jack up the price, but maybe it is already so prevalent that that type of business plan would not work with MJ. In either case, I'm sure there would be hefty federal taxes (after national legalization) on it the way there are on tobacco, so that the government would profit heavily from legal sales.

Fleur deLirious · Apr 24, 2016

You'd be a fool to risk your career to get high. Even if it were legal, until there's a test that can determine current intoxication levels, I don't think healthcare professionals should be allowed to smoke or ingest marijuana, even in their off time, as a positive test can occur for weeks after use. Would you want to be facing a life-or-death situation with a stoned nurse or doctor standing over you as your treatment provider?

AliBybee · Apr 24, 2016

How many nurses come to work hung over? Raise your hand if this is you. How many nurses self medicate after a shift? Probably more of us will raise our hands now. What's the difference between alcohol, Rx drugs, OTC and in this case, marijuana?

I was in law enforcement for 14 years. I arrested people for 'using'. I was a social worker for several years. I helped my clients get their license to 'grow their own'. I'm a hospice nurse. I appreciate when my pts tell me that they are using marijuana, cannabus, or hemp oils.

My point is.....it all has a place. It makes you feel better. Just because it is deemed illegal, doesn't mean its horrible and should never be used.

There are hundreds of studies on how marijuana affects people. Hundreds more on alcohol. All chemicals, (including chocolate and MSG), change our brains, at least temporarily. Personally, I'd rather work with a nurse who smoked a little weed last night than one who got drunk. I don't advocate for either. I don't smoke it or eat it, but I'm ok that others do.

In nursing you can get your license suspended or revoked. I understand that. But do we 'judge' a nurse who smokes worse than a nurse who drinks? I'm not talking about getting high or getting drunk. Just using these substances to relax. A glass of wine, for instance.

It's my opinion. Let the comments roll.

canigraduate · Apr 24, 2016

Man, this thread went south quick.

I wonder if vitamin C mixed with MMJ cures cancer?

dmmlayton · Apr 24, 2016

Wouldn't it be smarter to just quit your job if they were going to drug test you and you knew you would come up positive? Seems like a more logical solution than risking losing your RN license. Of course the smartest thing to do is not use at all or limited amounts so it does not stay in your system for a prolonged time.

Desert Lady · Apr 24, 2016

I live in a state where it is legal. Personally I do not smoke or eat mj. But i do encourage my hospice and home patients that are paraplegic, quadriplegics or in intense pain to eat or smoke. MJ quiets muscle spasms, controls pain and causes hunger. I know there are some people that wont agree with me but when I see the benefits I think MJ should be legalized and dispensed in the pharmacy. Then if someone is picked up high it would be a dui punished by law. I worked with a nurse who took 100 mg of ms daily for pain. Home health nurse so he was driving under the influence and practicing. Think about that before you judge my thoughts.

MunoRN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

You'd be a fool to risk your career to get high. Even if it were legal, until there's a test that can determine current intoxication levels, I don't think healthcare professionals should be allowed to smoke or ingest marijuana, even in their off time, as a positive test can occur for weeks after use. Would you want to be facing a life-or-death situation with a stoned nurse or doctor standing over you as your treatment provider?

I'm not sure what you're referring to since testing for active blood THC levels are widely available in legalized states (as opposed to testing for inactive metabolites which can be detectable for weeks after use). Testing for DUI is the same basic process for alcohol or marijuana, and it would be the same for proving active drug levels while at work.

Keebs1125 · Apr 25, 2016

It's illegal here in Florida (so I don't) but I personally don't see a problem with it. It's not as harmful as alcohol, or other drugs, just as long as it isn't before a shift. So many judgey people on here.

James W. · Apr 25, 2016

One of the potential adverse effects of cannabis use is anxiety/paranoia.

Seems some of this is justified by the punitive responses of certain employers/licensing bodies.

Those who have commented on the propensity of many substances to negatively affect the user,

whether regular OTC/prescription or informal recreational, (even if the use is intended to be therapeutic),

are correct to remind us of our professional undertakings/expected work performance.

Having experienced stupidity-based incompetence from professional colleagues & as a patient, I feel that

nurses must strive to ensure best practice outcomes when on duty, unimpaired by natural, or drug induced

clouding of awareness, anxiety, or over-confidence to the point of arrogance.

WADA home visits while off duty are another matter, & a close shave of all body hair, per professional sports

competitors subject to such intrusions both seem a tad extreme.

Our local highway patrol has been doing 'random' ( compulsory) drug testing of drivers ( at roadblocks, sans probable cause),

with significant controversy over the validity of the tests to demonstrate current 'impairment' as opposed to metabolites,

& with the consequences of a positive test - even for cannabis - being a bit dire, a control freaks vs libertarians debate is on.

Kinda like right here, I guess..

james_lankford · Apr 25, 2016

Hey nurses,
In honor of "420" tomorrow... As a health-care professional, what are your thoughts on smoking weed? Any nurses out there that smoke a joint here and there?
Cheers.

laziest DEA agent ever

Footballnut · Apr 25, 2016

Not smoking, eating, applying or whatever for me. It's legal here but why bring into question anything about my practice? I don't work while under the influence of anything. And since MJ stays in the body fat for a long time, a test may show positive for quite a while.

iShaybie, ADN · Apr 25, 2016

Why do people assume that any and all drugs cause impairment? With regard to marijuana, most people put it in the same category as alcohol or opoids which is absolutely incorrect. Completely different drug and effect. Some drugs actually ENHANCE cognitive functioning such as stimulants.
Not enough research is done on marijuana and the brain, but in my opinion, a chronic marijuana user is perfectly safe on the road and competent to go to work in any profession under moderate doses. If anything, they drive extra slow and cautious because they are so paranoid about getting pulled over.

Funny you mentioned this! I know for a fact this is true. A close friend of mine drives much better after smoking. He's less "twitchy" he says. Over the years I've noticed slight differences in the flow of his diving.