Medical Marijuana: Ethics, Evidence, and Politics
Medical Marijuana: Ethics, Evidence, and Politics
The debate about medical marijuana arises not so much from the science of medicine as it does from our culture, history, conflicting values, and politics. The issue is not obvious. Most medicines come from plants. Why is this plant so stigmatized? Is it more dangerous than the poppy that is imported for most legally prescribed narcotics? What is the public health threat of cannabis? Must patients endure pain, nausea, and so on for the "greater good"? This debate creates an ethical dilemma for some of today's primary care APRNs, especially in states where the distribution and possession of medical marijuana, also referred to as therapeutic cannabis, are illegal.
The position of the ANA has been clear and consistent on the issue of access to marijuana for therapeutic use. In 1996, the ANA advocated support for the education for registered nurses and controlled trial research regarding the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis. In 2003, the ANA House of Delegates went on record as supporting nurses' "ethical obligation to be advocates for access to healthcare for all" including patients in need of "marijuana/cannabis for therapeutic use." In December 2008, the ANA reiterated their support of therapeutic cannabis (medical marijuana). Informed input from APRNs into the policy and law-making process during this time of critical change is key to expanding APRN responsibilities in practice.
Background
The debate about medical marijuana arises not so much from the science of medicine as it does from our culture, history, conflicting values, and politics. The issue is not obvious. Most medicines come from plants. Why is this plant so stigmatized? Is it more dangerous than the poppy that is imported for most legally prescribed narcotics? What is the public health threat of cannabis? Must patients endure pain, nausea, and so on for the "greater good"? This debate creates an ethical dilemma for some of today's primary care APRNs, especially in states where the distribution and possession of medical marijuana, also referred to as therapeutic cannabis, are illegal.
The position of the ANA has been clear and consistent on the issue of access to marijuana for therapeutic use. In 1996, the ANA advocated support for the education for registered nurses and controlled trial research regarding the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis. In 2003, the ANA House of Delegates went on record as supporting nurses' "ethical obligation to be advocates for access to healthcare for all" including patients in need of "marijuana/cannabis for therapeutic use." In December 2008, the ANA reiterated their support of therapeutic cannabis (medical marijuana). Informed input from APRNs into the policy and law-making process during this time of critical change is key to expanding APRN responsibilities in practice.
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