The American Nurses Association publicly supports rescheduling

Nurses working on the front lines of patient care support rescheduling

In the last election, President Biden promised to help the cannabis industry, and two years into his term, he agreed to start the process. Now the American Nurses Association is joining the chorus of supporters and publicly supporting rescheduling. The medical community has recognized that medical marijuana has significant medical benefits, particularly in the fight against opioids.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) joins the bipartisan governors of the Health and Human Service (HHS) and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in recommending the change.

ANA said in a public statement: “Marijuana and its derivatives continue to be used to relieve disease-related symptoms and side effects.” The results of anecdotal and controlled studies on effectiveness for patient use are mixed. Current federal regulations hinder the research needed to evaluate and determine the therapeutic use of marijuana and related cannabinoids. This opinion does not cover the current debate over the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes. The aim is to develop an evidence-based approach for use in disease treatment and symptom management.”

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Cannabis is currently a Schedule I drug and is considered to have no established medical use and a high potential for abuse. This puts marijuana on the same level as heroin, LSD, MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms.

Schedule III medications have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. These currently include ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone and paracetamol with codeine.

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Cannabis is currently a Schedule I drug and is considered to have no established medical use and a high potential for abuse. This puts marijuana on the same level as heroin, LSD, MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms.

Schedule III medications have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. These currently include ibuprofen, ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone and paracetamol with codeine.

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They continued: “It is the shared responsibility of professional nursing organizations to work together to advocate for nurses in shaping health care and driving change to improve health and health care.” Therefore, the ANA strongly supports:

• Scientific review of marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance and reinstatement of marijuana as a federal Schedule II controlled substance to facilitate research.
• Develop prescribing standards that include instructions for use, specific dose, route of administration, expected effect and possible side effects, and instructions for discontinuing a medication.
• Establishing evidence-based standards for the use of marijuana and related cannabinoids.
• Protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use therapeutic marijuana and related cannabinoids to the extent permitted by state law.
• Exemption from criminal prosecution, civil liability or professional sanctions, such as: B. Loss of license or qualifications, for health care professionals who discuss marijuana treatment alternatives or prescribe, dispense, or administer marijuana in accordance with professional standards and state laws.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has made it clear that it is the final authority for debt restructuring, and it appears that the Biden administration has not pushed for a quick resolution. It would be unprecedented for the DEA to go against HHS and FDA recommendations, but it means it is following suit or will do so in the foreseeable future. The ANA's statement increases the pressure to act.