The American Nurses Association has issued a press release applauding the US Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recommendation to the DEA that it move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
The American Nurses Association (ANA), formed in 1896 and representing over five million registered nurses across the United States, calls the recommendation “a positive step toward developing an evidence-based approach for marijuana and related-cannabinoids use in disease and symptom management.”
ANA’s press release notes that “HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Health, Rachel L. Levine, M.D, recommended marijuana be reconsidered as a Schedule III drug given it poses lower health risks than other controlled substances and offers possible medical benefits. While the DEA has yet to act on this recommendation, the American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes this as an accomplishment in realizing the potential for marijuana in health care delivery.”
This marks “the first time HHS has publicly acknowledged marijuana’s medical use. This action follows a letter HHS sent to the DEA in August 2023 recommending marijuana be removed as a Schedule I drug, a classification for drugs with no medical benefits at all.”
ANA says it “continues to reiterate its’ position urging policymakers to review and reclassify marijuana’s status to support clinical research on how marijuana could benefit patients and providers. ANA also recognizes cannabis nursing as a nursing specialty which is identified by the American Cannabis Nurses Association as a specialty nursing practice focused on the care of health care consumers seeking education and guidance in the therapeutic use of cannabis.”
The recommendation to reschedule marijuana ” is a positive step toward developing an evidence-based approach for marijuana and related-cannabinoids use in disease and symptom management. ANA supports the urgency of clinical research to inform patients and providers on the efficacy of marijuana and related cannabinoids.”
You can read ANA’s Position on the Therapeutic Use of Marijuana and Related Cannabinoids by clicking here.
