Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses

Awarded Second Place in the 2021 AJN Book of the Year Awards in Advanced Practice Nursing


The time is now to get grounded in cannabis science and holistic care, with the evidence-based Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses.

This groundbreaking new guide addresses nursing skills and responsibilities in cannabis care, including the physiology of the human endocannabinoid system, cannabis care as it relates to specific disease processes, the history of cannabis, advocacy and ethics, and the ins and outs of cannabis dosing, delivery methods, side effects, and more. Essential for all practice areas, this is a timely, much-needed foundational resource for both students and practicing nurses who want to provide knowledgeable and effective medical cannabis care. 
 
Get grounded in cannabis knowledge with science-driven nursing guidance:

Covers the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2018 “Six Principles of Essential Knowledge” for supporting medical use of cannabis 
Meets the NCSBN (2018) principles for all practice areas and all levels of nursing training and education
Foundational chapters provide:

An overview of the history of cannabis prohibition and regulation, from ancient times to pioneers in cannabis care
Human endocannabinoid system structure and functions
Cannabis pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
CBD: The phytocannabinoid – dosing, drug-drug interactions, evidence of CBD effectiveness, and more


Focuses on the nurse’s role around cannabis care: 

Cannabinoid research findings – current evidence related to conditions such as seizures, MS, cancer, pain, PTSD, osteoporosis, opiate harm reduction and end-of-life care
The nurse’s role in cannabis patient care – nursing theory, motivational interviewing, coaching, spiritual care, ethics, and use of holistic modalities
The APRN role and process of providing care for medical cannabis patients seeking their medical cannabis recommendation 
Legal and ethical concerns –  cannabis-care ethics, advocacy, the current federal status of cannabis in the United States, and how to review a state’s cannabis laws
Real-world nursing experience – interviews with cannabis care nurses that share approaches, challenges, and successes


Chapter features include:

Concepts and Considerations box – Outlines chapter content and objectives
Applied Learning Questions – for personal reflection or group discussion
Case Studies – Illustrate use of cannabis treatments in a variety of practice settings
End-of-Chapter Q&A – NCLEX-style questions, similar to those that will be added to the NCLEX and APRN exams, to support learning and certification preparation 




About the Clinical Editor

Carey S. Clark, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, RYT, FAAN is Professor of Nursing, Director of Nursing, and Chair of the Medical Cannabis Certificate Program at Pacific College of Health and Science, in New York City, Chicago, Illinois, and San Diego, California, and the Past-President of the American Cannabis Nurses Association.