A professional organization representing more than 5 million nurses in the U.S. has announced its formal recognition of cannabis as a nursing specialty practice area.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) said in a press release about the change on Wednesday that cannabis nurses play an important role in providing patients with education and guidance on incorporating marijuana into treatment.
“This recognition highlights the essential role and special contribution of cannabis nurses to the health care system and promotes enhanced integration of cannabis therapies for health care consumers across diverse health care settings,” ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy said. The group bills itself as “the sole reviewing body of specialty nursing scope of practice and standards of practice.”
The organization also gave a nod to a separate group, the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA), which advocates for research, education and policy reform around medical marijuana. ANA credited that group for “pioneering the cannabis nursing field” and “contributing to the broader landscape of nursing practice and patient care.”
Broadly speaking, America’s nurses have been generally supportive of legalizing marijuana. A survey back in 2018, which polled 1,054 nurses, found that 82 percent endorsed legalizing medical marijuana, while 57 percent supported legalization for adult use. Despite some expansion of cannabis research in recent years, significant obstacles remain. Earlier this month, multiple federal agencies participated in a wide-ranging discussion about marijuana research barriers under prohibition, efforts to create a regulated pathway for CBD, state initiatives to promote social equity and more.
