Pot Smoking and Nursing

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 29, 2011

2/3 of the people in this thread need to smoke a joint, relax a bit and down some cheetos. Good lord, lots of tension.

latka6 · Oct 30, 2011

Just becase it is stored in your fat for longer doesn't mean it still effects you. Like I said, you have no idea what your talking about because you have never smoked pot. I have, I have also indulged in alcohol and

no question, alcohol is much more dangerous in every way.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

2/3 of the people in this thread need to smoke a joint, relax a bit and down some cheetos. Good lord, lots of tension.

Nope- not tense- just have my opinion that disagrees with those who want to smoke pot :)

Enjoy.

MunoRN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

But A glass of wine with dinner doesn't impair someone :) Pot stays in the system a LOT longer than a single (or even 2 or more) drinks. ETOH metabolizes fast enough to measure the level in someone's system and see if there is a level of impairment. With pot, it takes days to weeks to months to clear depending on how much/how often it's used. If someone has an ETOH level that shows impairment, I agree with you- it causes immediate impairment.
Look, you have our view- that's fine. I've got mine (and I'm also allowed that). I saw too many folks in drug/alcohol rehab going through detox for pot alone (confirmed by drug testing). It screws people up. I have a family member who smoked regularly (quit several years ago)... I'll just say that his pot use and life aren't something I'm aiming for in my own ... being stoned is being stoned... but pot stays longer.
I had a former co-worker (late 80s) who would drag her cookie tin of pot and the papers/pipe out regularly. I'd leave. I wanted no part of it. I've had joints stuck in my hand at parties- couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I've never smoked the stuff. I have done stupid drinking (and that's exactly what it was - STUPID)....but the I grew up. :)

The metabolites of marijuana are detectable for long after marijuana is used, but this has nothing to do with how long a person is under the effects of marijuana. The metabolites of marijuana are fat soluble, which causes them to be stored in body fat and then released as fat is burned which causes a long, sustained released of metabolites into the urine. Opiates for instance are water soluble, and are therefore only detectable for a matter of hours, maybe a day or two.

Alcohol goes through steady-state metabolism, which means that it's effects and duration of effect are directly related the amount consumed, the general rule is that one drink lasts approx 1 hour. Marijuana goes through a half-life metabolism, which means it lasts about the same amount of time regardless of amount ingested, the difference being the extent of effect. In terms of how lung someone is "high" on marijuana; it's generally considered to be about 2-4 hours (about the same amount of time someone is affected by a few drinks of alcohol).

Lifeofanurse · Oct 30, 2011

wow...I just read page one. Not all 15.

Pot smoking nurses...WOW!

Can someone fill me in where this is going down ....

cause I don't want any of my loved ones treated by these yahoos!

I don't want a nurse/dr who has had a few drinks working with me anymore than I want a pothead.

Sorry...but to be honest.

Unless you have a REAL and identifiable disease process that is helped by smoking pot...and live in a state that allows it for that purpose..(and I do btw support this movement for Cancer pts and other diseases).... I just can't say this is okay. It's not. It's against the law...whether I believe it to be right or wrong doesn't matter, fact is ..it is the law. I would expect as a professional nurse you would be required to uphold the laws of your state.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

wow...I just read page one. Not all 15.
Pot smoking nurses...WOW!
Can someone fill me in where this is going down ....
cause I don't want any of my loved ones treated by these yahoos!

I don't want a nurse/dr who has had a few drinks working with me anymore than I want a pothead.
Sorry...but to be honest.
Unless you have a REAL and identifiable disease process that is helped by smoking pot...and live in a state that allows it for that purpose..(and I do btw support this movement for Cancer pts and other diseases).... I just can't say this is okay. It's not. It's against the law...whether I believe it to be right or wrong doesn't matter, fact is ..it is the law. I would expect as a professional nurse you would be required to uphold the laws of your state.

All over, and since forever.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

The metabolites of marijuana are detectable for long after marijuana is used, but this has nothing to do with how long a person is under the effects of marijuana. The metabolites of marijuana are fat soluble, which causes them to be stored in body fat and then released as fat is burned which causes a long, sustained released of metabolites into the urine. Opiates for instance are water soluble, and are therefore only detectable for a matter of hours, maybe a day or two.
Alcohol goes through steady-state metabolism, which means that it's effects and duration of effect are directly related the amount consumed, the general rule is that one drink lasts approx 1 hour. Marijuana goes through a half-life metabolism, which means it lasts about the same amount of time regardless of amount ingested, the difference being the extent of effect. In terms of how lung someone is "high" on marijuana; it's generally considered to be about 2-4 hours (about the same amount of time someone is affected by a few drinks of alcohol).

Yeah. And a reason someone shows up positive after NOT smoking for a while, if they change their diet, gain/lose weight. Watching the potheads detox was like watching paint dry. These were generally frequent/regular users. But they came in for pot-only rehab. There were more poly-drug addicts, but there were pot-only.

Lifeofanurse · Oct 30, 2011

I suddenly feel very very stupid.

Ok...I had to go through a zillion background checks (seriously like a major that covered my whole state) to work my last job because it was with kids (not healthcare). Was drug tested before hire and signed an agreement that I would not partake while employed by my company. I could be sent at any time for a drug test...as they were random and if your name came up you had 2 hours to get it done or immediate dismisal. If you refused...your fired.

My job before that...was at a major chain store. Again..rigorous background check, fingerprinting and drug testing. Again...random testing was the norm.

And here I am working with a bunch of potheads?! These are the people entrusted with saving lives and taking care of our loved ones?!

I am just shocked...plain and simple..shocked.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

Lifeofanurse,

I hear ya. I'm not shocked (worked drug and alcohol rehab, and saw a LOT of professionals of various sorts in for different addictions).... and i don't think all potheads are addicts. But by the time they realize what it's done to them, it will be too late. I had one coworker that I KNOW was smoking pot- and I regret not turning her in. Now, in TX, if you know someone is impaired (and that can be smoking the day before going to work- if it shows up, it's a problem) and don't report, the one who doesn't report can be in trouble with the BON. If that had been in place when my coworker was smoking , I'd have made the call in a heartbeat. With no regrets at. all.

Folks are always free to disagree, as long as I'm allowed my opinions as well (based on what I've seen and learned). :)

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

two guests reading this .... wonder how long it takes them to let their friends/co-workers know?

nola1202 · Oct 30, 2011

:lol2:Smoking pot? Are you serious? This is halloween weekend...is this just a flashback to the 70's? :smokin:

I would never jeapordize my nsg lsc, it is the only way I get to eat. Food is important to me, so is not being homeless. :twocents:

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2011

I'll get the strobe light