American Nurses Association Position Statement on Medical Cannabis

"'It is the shared responsibility of professional nursing organizations to speak for nurses collectively in shaping health care and to promulgate change for the improvement of health and health care' (ANA, 2015, p. 36). Therefore, the ANA strongly supports:

"#&149; Scientific review of marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance and relisting marijuana as a federal Schedule II controlled substance for purposes of facilitating research.

"• Development of prescribing standards that includes indications for use, specific dose, route, expected effect and possible side effects, as well as indications for stopping a medication.

"• Establishing evidence-based standards for the use of marijuana and related cannabinoids.

"• Protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients using therapeutic marijuana and related cannabinoids as permitted under state laws.

"• Exemption from criminal prosecution, civil liability, or professional sanctioning, such as loss of licensure or credentialing, for health care practitioners who discuss treatment alternatives concerning marijuana or who prescribe, dispense or administer marijuana in accordance with professional standards and state laws."