Excerpt from the National Nurses Society on Addictions' Position Paper "Access to Therapeutic Cannabis"

 

As addictions nurses, members of the National Nurses Society on Addictions (NNSA) have an understanding of the negative health consequences that substance abuse and/or addiction can cause. Substance abuse and addiction are not about "bad" drugs, but rather about "bad" or unhealthy relationships with drugs. Persons can develop a substance abuse or addiction problem from any psychoactive drug, legal or illegal. Accordingly, our focus is on prevention of substance abuse and addiction as well as treatment for persons with such'problems.

 

Addictions nurses understand that no drug is completely safe and that any drug can be abused. Prior to using any medication or drug, the patient should have an understanding of the expected benefits and associated risks so that he or she can make a responsible decision regarding its use.

 

As nurses, we have an ethical obligation to advocate for optimal health care for all individuals. Medicine which enhances the quality of life for persons suffering from life- and sense-threatening illnesses should not be prohibited because some persons may develop a substance abuse and/or addiction problem to that medicine. Cannabis does have therapeutic value and has a wide margin of safety, and therefore, practitioners should have the right to prescribe cannabis to patients when the potential benefits surpass the health risks.

 

NNSA's Position on Access to Therapeutic Cannabis

 

The National Nurses Society on Addictions urges the federal government to remove marijuana from the Schedule I category immediately and make it available for physicians to prescribe.

 

NNSA urges the American Nurses' Association and other healthcare-professional organizations to support patient access to this medicine.

 

NNSA supports ongoing human research to determine alternative active methods of administration to minimize health risks.

 

NNSA supports research regarding the various cannabinoids and combinations thereof to determine the greatest therapeutic potential.

 

Prepared by Mary Lynn Mathre, R.N., M.S.N., C.A.R.1V., on behalf of the National Nurses Society on Addictions, effective May 1, 1995.

Complete text of this position paper can be obtained from the National Nurses Society on Addictions

4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201

Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 783-5871

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