when patients are prescribed marijuana

[brownbook]

We were discussing at work (out patient surgery,) how do hospitals deal with patients who are on prescription marijuana when they are hospitalized? This is in California.

Is there any problem or issue with the hospital pharmacy continuing their prescription as an in patient?

[brownbook]

Thanks to all. My knowledge of "recreational drugs" is so bad. All I know or think of with marijuana is smoking it.

[silverbat]

When I worked in hospitals we gave marinol (MJ) in po form to cancer/chemo pts.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

GrnTea, in this thread there has not been discussion on the merits of prescribing cannabis ... just on the legalities and logistics of possible use by hospital inpatients.

I agree. There are a number of misconceptions being evidenced, though, so I thought I'd mention some facts that may be new to some readers.

[NurseDirtyBird]

I've had a couple MS patients with authorizations. Family brought in food made with added cannabis, no smoking involved. We were able to D/C Ambien because they were able to sleep well as a result of cannabis use, and we saw less PRN muscle relaxant use for spasms.

Doctors in this state are divided on the topic. Some believe it can do a lot of good, keeping people off of habit forming opioids and other drugs, and others treat medicinal cannabis users like junkies.