Nursing & Healthcare News
Nurses and Medical Marijuana
A new book may be useful in understanding California's cannabis laws
Although a recently enacted California law now allows some patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals, many nurses are still unfamiliar with its use. A new book may help to bridge the gap.
Medical Marijuana Use in the Hospital?
Back in 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana with the passage of Prop. 215.
Last September, shortly before that measure’s 25th anniversary, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved S.B.311, the Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act, which requires certain healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana within the facility.
The scope of the new law is relatively limited: It only applies to terminally ill patients, the facility isn’t obligated to provide or dispense medicinal marijuana, and patients still aren’t permitted to smoke or vape on the premises.
Facilities must also impose reasonable restrictions on how medicinal cannabis is stored and used so as to protect other patients, staff and guests.
