American Nurses Association Recognizes Cannabis as Specialty Practice Area

LOS ANGELES- The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing over 5 million nurses in the United States, has formally recognized cannabis as a distinct nursing specialty practice. This announcement, made in a press release on Wednesday, underscores the pivotal role of cannabis nurses in offering patient education and incorporating cannabis-based treatments.

Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, ANA President, noted, “This recognition illuminates the vital contribution of cannabis nurses within our health care system. Their role not only facilitates an understanding of cannabis therapies across different health care settings but also accentuates their invaluable services.”

Establishing itself as “the singular authority reviewing specialty nursing scope and standards of practice,” the ANA extended its appreciation to the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA). This body, recognized for its progressive role in shaping the cannabis nursing field, has substantially impacted both nursing practices and patient care. ANA’s acknowledgment highlights ACNA’s ongoing efforts in research, education, and policy transformation around medical cannabis.

Rachel Parmelee, ACNA’s president, responded with gratitude. She remarked, “Nurses, being the predominant health professionals, have the potential to reshape health care, extending it beyond the confines of conventional Western medicine. Cannabis nursing is specialized, necessitating specific knowledge and abilities to effectively provide care while combating the associated stigmas. Our mission is to foster enduring, influential change, enhancing both specialty and general nursing practices, catering to the holistic well-being of patients throughout the country.”

In their announcement, ANA reinforced the immediate need for clinical research to enlighten patients about cannabis’s therapeutic potential, alluding to their 2021 position statement on its therapeutic use. The statement advocates for several measures, including reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule II controlled substance to spur research, framing evidence-based standards for its dosing and usage, and safeguarding patients and care providers from legal repercussions linked to cannabis recommendations.

Historically, a significant portion of American nurses has advocated for cannabis legalization. A 2018 survey, which sampled 1,054 nurses, disclosed that 82% favored legalizing medical cannabis, with 57% endorsing its adult recreational use.

Despite recent advances in cannabis research, considerable challenges persist. This was evident in a broad dialogue held earlier this month, involving multiple federal bodies such as the FDA, NIDA, CDC, NCI, and NCCIH. The conversation revolved around impediments to cannabis research stemming from its Schedule I status under the Controlled Substances Act.

Adding to the discourse, a study published in PLoS ONE recently highlighted notable enhancements in the quality of life and fatigue reduction for patients with chronic ailments upon initiating medical cannabis treatments.