RN with Anxiety seemingly not helped with traditional therapy

[drizzy13, BSN, RN]

I have had anxiety for the last 10 years. I have tried everything. I've been on numerous antidepressants and anxiolytics. I have gone to therapy. I've started exercising, I've tried meditation. I've changed my workplace, I've removed myself from toxic situations. I have literally tried everything there is to try. Recently, I've began thinking about CBD oils. I've never been a smoker, tried in my early college years, couldn't do it. However, I've read/done research on medical marijuana and CBD oil and I don't have a very good understanding of the chemical compounds of either product.

As a RN, I fear what any RN fears - losing their license. However, I don't know what else to try. As I've mentioned, I've had anxiety for the last 10-11 years of my life, with pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical proving ineffective. I feel like CBD might be my last option? But, I'm concerned about drug testing and the sort. I've read conflicting reports about CBD oil and hemp and THC concentrations, etc. Obviously, 4 years ago when I first got my license testing positive for marijuana was cause for concern. Nowadays, I feel like not only is marijuana use more recreational than ever, the increased research and support it gets for being effective for certain medical treatments is becoming greater and greater.

My true question here (and I'm not looking for opinions on how to manage my anxiety in other ways, I am specifically asking about CBD oil/medical marijuana): If one can have a prescription for Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and other benzos, why so much criticism for someone having a prescription for CBD oil?

I've needed Ativan for my anxiety and I was never concerned that I would test + for benzos. But when thinking about CBD oil, which is legal in my state (along with medical marijuana), I get nervous about testing positive for THC.

I see a lot of backlash for people turning to medical marijuana/CBD oil because of issue of impairment and failed drug tests, but these are things that can occur when you take prescribed benzos and pain medications.

Why do you think that is or what do you think makes the difference? I ask this to see if it is more of a fear of the unknown (personal opinion) or more of a legal/ethical/regulatory concern.

I apologize for the long post.

[verene, MSN]

It is a regulatory issue - cannabis is still a schedule I medication federally, and so many facilities that accept federal funding (e.g. medicare) have to adhere to the federal policy on cannabis use (at least this is how it has been explained to me). Benzos are schedule II and legal in all 50 states with a valid prescription, therefore, unless they are significantly impairing your work, they are considered a legal medical treatment and not something you will be cited over.

[shiftingtides]

CBD oil made from hemp has no THC and is legal in all states. Maybe give that a try?

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 7/1/2019 at 10:04 AM, drizzy13 said:

My true question here (and I'm not looking for opinions on how to manage my anxiety in other ways, I am specifically asking about CBD oil/medical marijuana): If one can have a prescription for Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and other benzos, why so much criticism for someone having a prescription for CBD oil?

Unless something has changed there is no such thing as a prescription for marijuana or CBD oil. There is only one legal marijuana product that you can have a prescription for and that is Marinol which is for nausea in cancer patients.

Medical marijuana users get a recommendation from a doctor not a prescription. CBD oil does not require a prescription. I actually tried a CBD product for chronic pain for about a month and I felt great. Out of curiosity I did my own UDS and bam I was positive for THC. So you have to be careful which product you use.

Hppy