Wholesale prices for everyone! 50% your order of $500!*
*excludes bundles, $500 min purchase, not eligible with other discounts
Free shipping on all orders over $100
Free shipping on all orders over $100
Dear Green Nurse,
You’ve been open about your cannabis use and your efforts to help others live their best lives using plant medicine. Have you ever faced any issues with the board of nursing or your employer because of this?
Sincerely,
Concerned Follower
Dear Concerned,
I have been a Registered Nurse for 37 years, a career that has profoundly shaped both my professional path and personal perspective. I have never faced any issues with my employer for my cannabis use as I wasn’t working at the time when I started using cannabis as medicine. In my earlier blog posts, I shared the story of my path into the nursing profession and my transition into the unique role of a cannabis nurse. You can find both of these stories here.
Although my nursing license has never been revoked, I once faced an inquiry from the Board of Registered Nursing regarding a blog I wrote about educating a cannabis patient at the end of life. It’s a deeply personal experience that underscores the delicate balance between patient advocacy and professional accountability. The experience was profoundly challenging and left a lasting impact on me. I share this story with you now as a reminder for new nurses to focus on preparation and prevention, rather than repair and regret.
With you on the journey,
Your Favorite Green Nurse
As cannabis nurses, we walk a fine line—between honoring our oath to relieve suffering and navigating a healthcare system that has yet to fully embrace plant medicine. The truth is, even with the growing acceptance of cannabis as a therapeutic option, nurses remain vulnerable to scrutiny, misinterpretation, and professional risk.
I know this first hand because it happened to me.
The Story That Started It All – In 2017, I had the privilege of supporting my first hospice patient in exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis. He was a middle-aged man battling Stage IV lung cancer, introduced to me after I delivered a presentation on the role of cannabinoids in end-of-life care at a local hospice. His sister, desperate to ease his suffering, reached out, hoping this intervention might provide some relief. A compassionate caregiver had donated Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO), offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.
When I first met him, his pain was excruciating—unimaginable in its intensity. While emotionally ready to let go, his physical suffering was relentless. Despite taking over 100 mg of morphine daily in divided doses, he found no relief. His condition was dire: a tracheostomy assisted his breathing, a G-tube allowed minimal feeding, and his body, profoundly cachectic, was frail beyond measure. Witnessing his struggle was both humbling and deeply heart-wrenching.
Understanding the urgency, I collaborated with his hospice nurse and social worker, guiding them through the safe and informed use of the donated FECO. Over the course of 90 minutes, I provided comprehensive education on cannabinoid pharmacology, appropriate titration methods, and essential safety measures. My role remained strictly educational—I neither administered nor handled the oil, focusing instead on empowering the care team and family with the necessary knowledge and confidence to proceed.
This experience became a profound testament to the potential of cannabis in alleviating suffering at the end of life, as well as a reminder of the compassion and community that underpin meaningful care for all of us.
He took his first rice-grain-sized dose of high-THC oil as we sat together. The effect was almost immediate as it melted under his tongue. For the first time in weeks, he smiled, tears welling in his eyes. Then, with newfound determination, he wheeled himself to the fridge, retrieved an Ensure, and fed himself through his G-tube—a simple act that carried immense significance. That moment reaffirmed what I had long believed: this plant holds extraordinary potential to ease human suffering.
In those 2 hours that I spent with him, I taught him how to safely dose his oil twice a day. With his pain under control, he was able to reconnect with friends, say his goodbyes, and experience a peaceful, dignified passing. His sister later shared that it changed everything for their family, bringing them moments of solace and closure they hadn’t thought possible.
This journey remains etched in my memory as a powerful example of how compassion, education, and alternative therapies can converge to transform even the most challenging circumstances into joy.
From Education to Investigation – I shared that powerful story in a blog post—not naming the patient, nor claiming to treat or cure anything. I simply recounted my experience: witnessing a man in deep suffering and how a plant brought him comfort. My role was to hold space for him and his caregivers, who were unfamiliar with how to use the oil and needed guidance. But soon after, I found myself summoned before the Massachusetts Board of Nursing.
They questioned me: Was I practicing medicine without a license? Had I crossed professional boundaries? The board scrutinized my blog and my actions, subjecting me to a rigorous process. I complied, jumping through every hoop. They demanded to know what qualified me to teach about the plant’s use, and I responded by asking what they knew about the endocannabinoid system, and how I was self taught through my curiosity and healing. After all, medical cannabis was legal in Massachusetts. I submitted my nursing license, my CV, and all my continuing education credits from the past seven years. The process was intimidating and left me questioning if I had done something wrong—though deep down, I knew I hadn’t violated any laws.
I stood firm. I explained that my intention was always to educate, guide, and assist—a sick and suffering patient who wasn’t finding relief through countless pharmaceuticals. In the final chapter of his life, he deserved compassion and care. Through education and a calming presence, I helped him experience the healing power of the plant. I defended my role as a nurse: to educate, to provide compassionate support, and to advocate for informed choices.
Fortunately, no action was taken against me. I was fully prepared to go to trial and planned to have the proceedings recorded for my Green Nurse podcast. If I was to be made an example of, I intended to share every detail publicly. The experience was a poignant reminder of the challenges involved in advocating for alternative approaches that clash with existing laws, which vary widely between states and the federal level. It reinforced my commitment to empowering others and strengthened my dedication to the principles of education, compassion, and advocacy, even in the face of adversity.
This was before the 2018 NCSBN guidelines came into effect. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has published guidelines stating that all nurses, advanced practice nurses and nursing students must have six essential areas of knowledge when it comes to cannabis as medicine.
How Nurses Can Protect Themselves While Educating About Cannabis – The unfortunate truth is that nurses across the country continue to face serious professional threats when engaging in cannabis care—regardless of whether they practice in a legal state. Despite growing public acceptance and legislative shifts, the stigma remains embedded in healthcare institutions and regulatory boards. Nurses may find themselves accused of substance misuse, even when they are not consuming cannabis but simply educating patients about it. Others have been charged with violating professional boundaries or offering “unauthorized” education when providing basic cannabinoid literacy or guidance.
Perhaps the most jarring accusation is that of practicing medicine without a license—levied simply for explaining dosing principles or discussing therapeutic potential. These charges can arise from a lack of understanding among peers or supervisors, and they often reflect systemic fear more than actual misconduct. Yet the consequences are real and can be career-altering. That’s why it’s essential for nurses in this space to protect themselves through education, documentation, and community support.
Nurses who educate on Cannabis remain at risk of:
One of the most effective ways to protect your nursing license while working in the cannabis space is to prepare in advance by building a comprehensive Cannabis Nursing Portfolio. This isn’t just a professional asset—it’s your personal protection plan. Your portfolio should include your current nursing license and resume, along with a complete record of continuing education credits (CEUs), especially those specific to cannabis science and therapeutic use. Be sure to include certificates from courses, workshops, webinars, and lectures, as well as documentation of any professional presentations or advocacy work you’ve contributed to.
Professional memberships also matter. Belonging to organizations like the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) and documenting your affiliations, roles, and involvement shows that your work is aligned with broader nursing standards and professional development. It builds a record that can help defend your intentions, practices, and professionalism if you’re ever called to explain your actions.
Equally important is staying within your professional scope. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Guidelines on Medical Marijuana released in 2018, and refer to the Cannabis Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice developed by the American Nurses Association in 2024. These foundational documents help clarify what nurses can and cannot do regarding cannabis. They emphasize the importance of patient education, informed consent, safety, and clinical documentation. In addition, every nurse should know their individual state’s stance on cannabis use and how it impacts professional boundaries. State boards vary widely, and ignorance is not a defense.
Despite best efforts, complaints may still arise—and it’s crucial to understand how that process unfolds. If a complaint is filed with the board of nursing, it will likely trigger a multi-step process that includes an initial review, a formal investigation, potential board hearings, and disciplinary decisions. Outcomes can range from reprimands or probation to mandatory education, fines, suspension, or even revocation of your license. This is why preparation matters so deeply—it gives you the groundwork to demonstrate your professionalism and intent.
If you ever find yourself under scrutiny, act quickly and professionally. Seek legal counsel immediately and begin documenting everything related to the case—dates, conversations, and any relevant materials. Remain calm, focus on the facts, and avoid getting emotionally entangled in the accusations. Most importantly, don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to your professional network. Connect with nurses who have been through similar experiences and draw support from your community. You don’t have to navigate these moments alone—and your courage may ultimately help strengthen the profession for others. We are all in this together.
Moving Forward with Courage and Clarity – I share this not to scare, but to prepare. If we want cannabis nursing to be recognized as a specialty—if we want to advocate for our patients and ourselves—we must lead with transparency, courage, and documentation.
Let this experience be a guide for others: Nurses can—and should—be part of the compassionate care movement of using cannabis as a therapeutic option. But we must also protect ourselves by staying informed, practicing within our scope, and preserving a paper trail that validates our professionalism. If you’re a nurse educating patients about cannabis, you are not alone. Stay informed. Stay protected. And most of all, stay grounded in your truth.
Caring well is brought to you by Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse
Subscribe to our newsletter &
receive informative medical information & monthly promotions!
