Unveiling a Milestone: The American Nurses Association Officially Recognizes Cannabis Nursing as a Specialty

The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing over 5 million U.S. nurses, has officially declared cannabis nursing as a specialized field of practice. This milestone underscores the pivotal role that cannabis nurses hold in educating patients about marijuana as part of their treatment plans.

ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy emphasized that this acknowledgment not only validates the unique contributions of cannabis nurses but also facilitates the broader integration of cannabis therapies across various healthcare environments. ANA is the authoritative body overseeing the scope and standards of specialty nursing practices.

The ANA also commended the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) for their pioneering work in establishing the cannabis nursing sector and for their continued advocacy in research, education, and policy reforms concerning medical marijuana. Rachel Parmelee, ACNA’s president, expressed her organization’s deep satisfaction with this recognition. She highlighted that nurses make up the most extensive group of healthcare professionals and have the capability to revolutionize healthcare by including alternative wellness methods like medical cannabis.

In their announcement, the ANA emphasized the critical need for clinical research on the efficacy of marijuana and its cannabinoids, referencing their 2021 position statement. This statement calls for reclassifying marijuana to Schedule II to facilitate research, create evidence-based guidelines for usage and dosing, and protect both patients and healthcare providers from any legal repercussions linked to marijuana discussions or recommendations.

A 2018 survey revealed that a majority of America’s nurses are in favor of marijuana legalization—82% supported its medical use, while 57% backed its recreational use. Yet challenges persist, especially in research. Earlier this month, key federal agencies including the FDA, NIDA, CDC, NCI, and NCCIH, gathered to discuss hurdles in cannabis research, largely due to its Schedule I status under the Controlled Substances Act.

A study published in the PLoS ONE journal recently indicated that patients with chronic illnesses reported an improvement in their quality of life and decreased fatigue within the first three months of using medical cannabis. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that underscores the need for more comprehensive research into the benefits and drawbacks of cannabis use.