American Nurses Association Recognizes Cannabis as a Nursing Specialty Practice Area

The American Nurses Association (ANA), representing over 5 million nurses in the United States, has formally recognized cannabis as a nursing specialty practice area. This historic announcement underscores the vital role that cannabis nurses play in providing education and guidance to patients considering marijuana as part of their treatment.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy highlighted the importance of this recognition, stating, “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.”

The ANA, known as the sole reviewing body of specialty nursing scope of practice and standards of practice, acknowledged the significant contribution of the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) in pioneering the field of cannabis nursing. ACNA is a group that advocates for research, education, and policy reform related to medical marijuana. ANA credited ACNA for its role in advancing the cannabis nursing field and contributing to the broader landscape of nursing practice and patient care.

Rachel Parmelee, the president of ACNA, expressed deep gratification regarding the ANA's recognition, stating, “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.”

The ANA's announcement also emphasized the urgency of clinical research to inform patients about the efficacy of marijuana and related cannabinoids. This position aligns with a 2021 ANA statement on the therapeutic use of cannabis, which called for relisting marijuana as a federal Schedule II controlled substance to facilitate research, develop evidence-based dosing and use standards, protect patients from penalties for marijuana use, and exempt care providers from legal repercussions for discussing or recommending marijuana.

You can read the full press release here.