Three questions on the role of a nurse and medical marijuana

Whether you’re employed in a state where cannabis is fully legal for adult use or one where medical marijuana could also be beneficial, as a nurse you’ll often encounter patients who use cannabis. One of the issues health care professionals face today is that patients often perceive cannabis use as harmless or not value mentioning as a stigmatized substance, so that they are afraid to say their cannabis use. As the United States moves closer to likely federal legalization of cannabis, nurses must feel comfortable and assured in assessing patients’ cannabis consumption and supporting, educating, and instructing them within the secure and effective use of cannabis.

Here are 3 common questions I often hear from nurses and nursing students excited by cannabis nursing care and supporting patients to make use of cannabis safely and effectively:

1. How does cannabis work for therefore many various diseases?

Our bodies have a master regulatory system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). We produce after which break down our own endocannabinoids (cannabis-like substances) which interact with this method to make sure our body maintains homeostasis, and endocannabinoids help the immune system function properly so we will stay healthy. When the ECS doesn’t have what it needs to operate properly attributable to stress, illness, dietary or lifestyle issues, we may not produce the suitable endocannabinoids to satisfy the system’s needs. People affected by various diseases could also be clinically deficient in endocannabinoids and might want to complement with cannabinoids to feel healthy and well (Russo, 2016). We now know that when patients are instructed on how one can properly dose marijuana, they’ll safely and effectively use the drug to support the healing process and meet palliative needs without becoming intoxicated or depending on the drug (Clark, 2021).

2. If cannabis is illegitimate on the federal level, how can I discuss it within the workplace?

Federal legality has never been a problem in any health care facility; no facility has ever lost funding to treat patients using cannabinoids or healthcare professionals talking about cannabis. We can all the time stay inside our scope of practice by educating and training patients. In fact, in a problem of the magazine, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) (2018) identified 6 core areas that every one nurses should be educated on when caring for cannabis patients. You can browse and download NCBSN National Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana freed from charge and share them with others in your workplace.

3. How can we persuade our workplace that we must always assess patients for cannabis use and educate them on how one can use it effectively?

The first step is to coach yourself and gain confidence in how cannabis works within the body; why and the way the cannabis ban has stigmatized patients and vulnerable groups; proper cannabis dosage; access to secure cannabinoid medicines; and our ethical obligation to handle these issues within the workplace. Use skilled communication tools and published literature when talking to colleagues and administrators. In addition to providing the NCSBN (2018) guidelines, the American Cannabis Nurses Association (2019) created Scope and standards of practice for cannabis nurses (Clark et al., 2019). The the primary nurse’s manual that gives detailed information on cannabis care can also be now available.

Cannabis has long been used to stigmatize vulnerable populations and folks of color during prohibition. As nurses, we may help end the stigma around this plant entheogen and usher in a post-prohibition era where patients can safely use cannabis to assist with their palliative and medicinal needs, including symptoms of pain, appetite problems, sleep, anxiety, spiritual healing and quality of life.

AND

Clark, C. S. (2021). . Wolters Kluwer.

Clark, C. S., Bernhard, C. E., Quigley, N., Smith, K., Theisen, E., & Smith, L. D. (2019). Scope and standards of practice for cannabis nurses. American Cannabis Nurses Association. https://www.cannabisnurses.org/scope-and-standards-of-practice-for-cannabis-nurses

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2018). NCSBN National Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana. (2), complement. https://www.ncsbn.org/The_NCSBN_National_Nursing_Guidelines_for_Medical_Marijuana_JNR_July_2018.pdf

Russo, E. (2016). Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency: Current research supports the idea for migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel disease and other treatment-resistant syndromes. 1(1). https://www.doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0009 Â Â Â

AND