On September 28, the American Nurses Association, an advocacy group representing more than 5 million nurses from across the country, recognized cannabis nursing as a specialty nursing practice.
The American Cannabis Nurses Association identifies the specialty as a practice focusing on the care of health care consumers seeking education and guidance for the therapeutic use of cannabis.
“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 in a press release.
ACNA president Rachel Parmelee called the recognition a “groundbreaking establishment of cannabis nursing.”
“Nurses are the largest group of health professionals, providing an opportunity to change the health care paradigm and include diverse wellness modalities beyond traditional Western medicine,” Parmelee said. “Cannabis nursing requires specialized knowledge and competencies to navigate care and address the stigma associated with medical cannabis use to support a healthy society. We seek to create lasting, transformative change that enriches both specialized and general nursing practices, ultimately serving the well-being of patients nationwide.”