Position statement: Our patients should at least have an option of treatment when they are diagnosed with a terminal illness and/or an illness that causes severe effects that affect their activities of daily living. Prescriptions for medications are given daily, however are we informing our patients of the horrible side effect (liver damage, formation of blood clots, stroke, heart conditions, nausea and vomiting). As professionals and future FNP's we should be advocating for the rights of our patients, there needs and wants. If the medication (marijuana) is helping them, we should deliver. Let's put aside our moral beliefs and focus on the needs of the patient.
Introduction.
Marijuana (cannabis) or refer as it is called on the street, has been used medicinally for centuries. Historically it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of symptoms in a variety of conditions. Also, historically it has been used as a natural remedy for various ailments. While examining the pros of the medical use of marijuana in the palliative care setting it is important for oncology nurses and advanced practice nurses/family nurse practioners to understand the importance of efforts to promote quality of life for patients needing such therapy (Eschiti & Johannigman, 2013). Interesting history regarding marijuana especially if you are not familiar with how its use was introduced. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the word. Early prescribers (ancient and Greek time) for cannabis recommended eating the seeds for nutritional value and need, however smoking the plant was to eliminate pain, convulsions and vomiting. .
Body.
Like most of the professionals in this room your thinking about this topic/situation has been to not legalize medical marijuana due to what we have heard (probably not researched/investigated) of this drug. However, lets eliminate the moral aspect of what we have been taught for years regarding marijuana and its stigmatism that it holds.
