July 6, 2021
Cannabis Health News just published Eloise Theisen’s article “Why Medical Cannabis Needs More Nurses”. Theisen is the assistant chair of the medical cannabis program and president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association. She writes that, despite having ranked as the most trusted and ethical professionals for 19 consecutive rows, their vital role within healthcare, and rising demand for their unique skills, nurses are rarely considered integral to the industry.
The legality of cannabis has shifted so quickly over the past several years that most professionals currently working in healthcare did not learn about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in nursing or medical school; instead, most learned about cannabis only in the context of drug abuse. Two organizations are currently working on defining guidelines and scope of practice for new practitioners: the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA). Nurses trained with their standards in mind will be able to provide on-going education and coaching to guide people on how to consume cannabis safely and effectively.