If the government legalizes marijuana in the US...

Nurses General Nursing

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When the US government legalizes weed at the federal level will nurses be allowed to smoke weed?

If your kid has seizures CBD can work wonders.

A kid isn't a nurse on shift.

It is not gonna happen. The BON won't allow it. Let it go.

Derived? Not really. They are adulterated chemical copies of substances that come from plants.

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I had a nurse friend whose husband (not a nurse) had an accident at work. Both were in their mid 60's. They did a drug test on her husband as a result of the accident and he popped a positive. What the heck??? Neither of them or their families used Marijuana ever and were staunchly against it. It turned out that her husband was a voracious milk drinker and they purchased their milk directly from the farm. Believe it or not, the milk cows were put to graze pasture where it was discovered a hefty amount of the weed grew. It was determined he was getting his dose of Marijuana from the milk he was drinking. Crazy, huh? Just had to add this into the mix. True story!

I had a nurse friend whose husband (not a nurse) had an accident at work. Both were in their mid 60's. They did a drug test on her husband as a result of the accident and he popped a positive. What the heck??? Neither of them or their families used Marijuana ever and were staunchly against it. It turned out that her husband was a voracious milk drinker and they purchased their milk directly from the farm. Believe it or not, the milk cows were put to graze pasture where it was discovered a hefty amount of the weed grew. It was determined he was getting his dose of Marijuana from the milk he was drinking. Crazy, huh? Just had to add this into the mix. True story!

That's a good question. Well since you're a nurse you are a student of science right? In health science we explore empirical evidence and evaluate it's use. There's been a lot of buzz about the positive and minimal side effects of weed. You don't think it's worth checking out? Lawmakers began the prohibition of marijuana and it's research. Not a scientist, doctor or nurse. So where is your empirical proof that weed isn't all that or beneficial as you assume? If Donald Trump decides to outlaw Motrin are you gonna waste it all and stand outside your hospital with a picket sign. Be reasonable, not a fanatic of the regime.

All you by the book naysayers really ought to try it before you knock it. Don't live like a socialist goose-stepping prude. Live a little and explore.

You say minimal side-effects? I work in the ED in Oregon where it is legal. We get cyclic vomiters coming in constantly (there is at least one every night, many per week) who are literally only vomiting from smoking weed. Doctors discharge orders are to stop smoking weed. Do they stop? Nope! Back in the ED again with vomiting from smoking too much weed.

Weed legalization is at its very early stages because regulations arent exactly established yet, primarily the potency, or doses if you will. And even if the standardization happens in the future, I doubt anyone would want any professional to take care of them under the influence. Good point about alcohol comparison.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Problem with marijuana is it stays in the system much longer than alcohol so unlike alcohol it would be nearly impossible to prove impairment based on a drug test. I can see the argument from the BON side for not allowing it's use despite legal status based on this.

Exactly this. It will be impossible for the nurse to prove that he/she was not impaired, so I would bet the boards and employees won't even entertain it unless someone develops a different/better test.

I would want more evidence based research articles/studies for anything marijuana related.

Alcohol is legal but that doesn't mean you show up to work having tied back a few. Benadryl and sleep aides are also legal but you wouldn't take that before showing up for work. I figure as a nurse you need to be SHARP as a tack. You get enough sleep, show up on time, look sharp, and you better have your act together because your patient's lives are now in YOUR hands. Now if you take a sleep aide before going to sleep or a glass of wine with dinner on your day off well that is your business. Think of the person you love the most in the most vulnerable position and then ask yourself would I want their nurse doing XYZ???

The answer should answer this question.

Exactly this. It will be impossible for the nurse to prove that he/she was not impaired, so I would bet the boards and employees won't even entertain it unless someone develops a different/better test.

Impairment is not defined by a certain threshold of chemical within your blood. In the case of alcohol states will set a maximum BAC level which will mean you are automatically charged with impairment should you meet or exceed that but most also have an "under the influence" statute as well.

The "under the influence" statute is usually enforced by a series of standardized "field sobriety tests" as well. It will likely be a combination of factors to determine "impairment" with marijuana.

No need to reinvent the wheel, states have been enforcing and incarcerating people for impairment for decades now related to various drugs.

It has nothing to do with the constitution. Employers have every right to require certain things of their employees, including being tobacco (and marijuana) free.

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On 11/8/2018 at 9:27 PM, GlenwoodUSN said:

That's a good question. Well since you're a nurse you are a student of science right? In health science we explore empirical evidence and evaluate it's use. There's been a lot of buzz about the positive and minimal side effects of weed. You don't think it's worth checking out? Lawmakers began the prohibition of marijuana and it's research. Not a scientist, doctor or nurse. So where is your empirical proof that weed isn't all that or beneficial as you assume? If Donald Trump decides to outlaw Motrin are you gonna waste it all and stand outside your hospital with a picket sign. Be reasonable, not a fanatic of the regime.

All you by the book naysayers really ought to try it before you knock it. Don't live like a socialist goose-stepping prude. Live a little and explore.

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