Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #122122

Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN, ARS Pantops Clinic, 1575 State Farm Blvd., Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA 22911, 434-220-0080, mlmathre@pantopsclinic.com

The US has continued its unfounded prohibition of the therapeutic use of cannabis since 1937 despite years of evidence to support its safety and therapeutic efficacy as well as recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (1999) and resolutions in support of patient access to therapeutic cannabis from numerous health care organizations including the APHA. Health care professionals (HCPs) who have knowledge of therapeutic cannabis research are placed in a Catch 22 position and face several ethical dilemmas. How can a HCP recommend use of a Schedule I medicine if use of that medication may result in an arrest and criminal penalties for the patient? Even in states where it is legal for a physician to recommend cannabis, there is no guarantee that the patient won't suffer legal consequences under federal law. How can a HCP recommend cannabis when there is no legal quality-controlled supply? How can a HCP NOT recommend cannabis to a patient who is suffering from symptoms such as severe nausea and vomiting, anorexia, chronic pain, spasticity, or other problems and no other pharmaceutical can help? How can a HCP NOT recommend cannabis when a patient is taking several medications to counteract the side effects of a primary medication and there is evidence to support the use of cannabis could replace or decrease the use of multiple medications? What do you do when you or a colleague of yours needs to use this medicine, but to do so could result in loss of license and/or criminal penalties?

Learning Objectives:

• See session abstract

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered