tragicallyhip

I was at their conference it was excellent. CCNA is about to be incorporated as a nonprofit and will serve as a network, and education platform for Canadian nurses. They also have associate members as consultants from various scholarly backgrounds, physicians, researchers, specialists etc.

The Canadian Cannabis Nurses Association (CCNA) will be incorporated as a nonprofit in the next two months in time for legalization. Mary Lynn Mathre, the founder of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and Patients Out of Time are currently traveling across Canada doing education for nurses and are taking the CCNA message as well.

There is the fb page, Canadian Cannabis Nurses Association too.

Thank you!

No, not yet. I do know that they may need to decrease their seizure meds if taking CBD (cannabidiol) one of the cannabinoids in cannabis. Which of course can be great because they can decrease the side effects of the seizure meds by that decrease. They would have to work with the GP to work with them on the decrease of course. Many patients as you know don't tell their docs they are taking it. Because everyone's endocannabinoid system seems to be unique in the number of receptors. Cannabis is something that needs to be titrated up slowly to avoid over-doing it. CBD is the non-intoxicating cannabinoid and the high CBD formulas are the ones used for example like Charlotte's Web. Where are you located? Back east?

HI All, I would like to network with other Canadian nurses working in the cannabis industry. Anyone out there?

Hi I am researching this as well. In another post "https://allnurses.com/nursing-patient-medications/medical-marijuana-role-851235.html" they ask this question as well. I posted a comment and would like feedback from RNs working in the industry already about what they are doing currently. So far in my own research I have accumulated links etc to reference. Here is my own info that I have gleaned so far in exploring the issue: Just a note as well. I see patients one on one for lifestyle management of cardiometabolic syndrome and it's associated issues:I have countless seniors who had severe diabetic neuropathy and finally have a solution. Many find the drops of certain strains/compounds under the tongue very helpful. They help with sleep and consequently are able to better manage pain. Our Canadian Nurses Association is working hard to de-stigmatize Cannabis for the purpose of supporting patients with cancer, fibromyalgia, diabetes, autoimmune inflammation, etc who find relief from this complex plant with over 140 compounds and counting. I will add links to this post from their webinar. I will also add a link from the Academy of Medicine and Science with a free comprehensive PDF book on all the data and studies done so far on Cannabis. There are RNs working in dispensaries whose focus is medicinal use. Other dispensaries are tailored for recreational use, much like liquor stores. RN roles thus far, are not prescribing in Canada but examining patient profiles. For example. patient A comes in with list of medications and conditions, any interacting medications or conditions such as psychiatric (bipolar etc) are automatically flagged and the patient must get a letter from their specialist or doctor before obtaining Cannabis. This is much less interaction with a patient than happens at safe injection sites here in Canada. The nurse does not recommend, counsel, or give any advice on cannabis. Canadian NPs may be able to start prescribing it when legislation is passed. I would also recommend looking at the TED talk from Portugal and what they have done to reduce addiction and use dramatically in their country. They have one of the highest success rates in the world when it comes to addiction. What I find is that there is a lot of moral judgement and nurses are supposed to be critical thinkers that put one's one morals/beliefs aside and think as evidenced based practitioners. So far I have seen emotional responses to this topic rather than informed and critical thinking based. (Cannabis: the evidence) If patients sense judgement they will not reveal anything to nurses and this does nothing to reduce harm. I used to be in the "judgment group" and I have completely with education and research turned my views 180 degrees. I will include a number of links that may be of help. Some reference Safe Injection site documents which may help understand harm reduction. Although, of note, obviously Cannabis is not an opiate but I think it is worth considering since it is still under schedule 1. Canadian Nurses Association on Cannabis: Cannabis in Canada: Implications for nursing in a changing legal and health-care landscape - YouTube National Academy of Science and Medicine, see pdf link for free: Front Matter | The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research | The National Academies Press National Academy of Science and Medicine home page: Error Page 4

Thank you! Nurses have to consider their role in stigmatization: "Nursing is as much, if not more, responsible for perpetuating the stigmas and misperceptions that illogically limit the use of marijuana in treating patients and keeping marijuana relegated to the "CAM" category, even though there is a wealth of evidence that says it's earned it's way out of being considered a CAM treatment."

Hi! I applaud you asking these questions. I have countless seniors who had severe diabetic neuropathy and finally have a solution. Many find the drops under the tongue very helpful. They help with sleep and consequently are able to better manage pain. Our Canadian Nurses Association is working hard to de-stigmatize Cannabis for the purpose of supporting patients with cancer, fibromyalgia, diabetes, autoimmune inflammation, etc who find relief from this complex plant with over 140 compounds and counting. I will add links to this post from their webinar. I will also add a link from the Academy of Medicine and Science with a free comprehensive PDF book on all the data and studies done so far on Cannabis. There are RNs working in dispensaries whose focus is medicinal use. Other dispensaries are tailored for recreational use, much like liquor stores. RN roles thus far, are not prescribing but looking at patients profiles. For example. patient A comes in with list of medications and conditions, any interacting medications or conditions such as psychiatric (bipolar etc) are automatically flagged and the patient must get a letter from their specialist or doctor before obtaining Cannabis. This is much less interaction with a patient than happens at safe injection sites here in Canada. The nurse does not recommend, counsel, or give any advice on cannabis. Canadian NPs may be able to start prescribing it when legislation is passed. I would also recommend looking at the TED talk from Portugal and what they have done to reduce addiction and use dramatically in their country. They have one of the highest success rates in the world when it comes to addiction. What I find is that there is a lot of moral judgement and nurses are supposed to be critical thinkers that put one's one morals/beliefs aside and think as evidenced based practitioners. So far I have seen emotional responses to this topic rather than informed and critical thinking based. (Cannabis: the evidence) If patients sense judgement they will not reveal anything to nurses and this does nothing to reduce harm. I used to be in the "judgment group" and I have completely with education and research turned my views 180 degrees. I will include a number of links that may be of help. Some reference Safe Injection site documents which may help understand harm reduction. Although, of note, obviously Cannabis is not an opiate but I think it is worth considering since it is still under schedule 1. Canadian Nurses Association on Cannabis: Harm reduction: https://drugpolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Lightfoot-etal_09_Gaining-Insite.pdf Okay, I hope this helps others. I have read some of the negative comments that were not constructive and showed moral and emotional based judgement rather than examining it with an eye for evidence based decisions. We are a profession that must look at things from a scientific, ethical, holistic based mind. We must look at what other countries have found successful. So far, North America has failed in their war on drugs. Another author who has written extensively on addictions is Dr. Gabor Mate. He has many videos online as well has his books. He has worked for years in the Vancouver downtown core with those who struggle with substance use. At the core of the problem is trauma and psychiatric illnesses. See Ted talks: Thank you for asking these questions. ?