RECENT ARTICLES
Following the Breadcrumbs: Love Hawkins on Deep Listening
In the inaugural episode of Conversations That Connect, Love Hawkins shares how intuition led her from doula work to midwifery, cannabis nursing, and an extraordinary path to motherhood – and why the most powerful thing a nurse may offer is the space for someone to hear their own truth.
Some lives appear to unfold according to a carefully drawn map. Love Hawkins describes hers differently: as a trail of breadcrumbs—small impressions, unexpected encounters, and moments of intuition that changed the trajectory of everything that followed.
In the inaugural episode of Cannabis Nurses Network’s Conversations That Connect, Love joined Nurse Heather Manus for a heartfelt exploration of the woman behind her many professional titles. A retired United States Air Force veteran and nurse with more than two decades of experience, Love has served as a women’s health nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, nurse coach, educator, researcher, and advocate. Yet when asked who she is beneath the credentials, she began not with accomplishment, but with life itself.
Love spoke of the joyful, painful, and challenging experiences that have shaped her through 55 years of living. Over time, she said, the process of trial and error began to settle into something more recognizable: intuition.
Medical Cannabis Stigma: The Hidden Barrier in Healthcare
Despite growing scientific evidence, stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to honest conversations about medical cannabis. Marilyn Pierce, BSN, RN, explores how fear, misinformation, and lack of education continue to affect healthcare providers and patients alike – and why replacing stigma with education is essential for better care.
The Power of Connection
Six nurses. Six unique stories. One extraordinary discovery. During the Cannabis Nurses Network’s Summer Soirée Speaker Series, an unexpected theme emerged—connection changes everything. Explore the presentations and discover why authentic connection remains the foundation of nursing leadership.
The Future of Cannabis as Medicine: Nurses, Researchers, and Advocates Lead a New Era of Healthcare
Cannabis nursing education is rapidly transforming healthcare as nurses, researchers, and advocates lead the integration of cannabis medicine into clinical practice. In this powerful Cannabis Nurses Network discussion, leaders in cannabis science, patient advocacy, and nursing explore cannabis research, endocannabinoid system education, healthcare policy, Schedule III implications, and the growing role of nurses in shaping the future of compassionate, evidence-informed care.
Cannabis Nurses Network Responds to DOJ Marijuana Rescheduling: A Turning Point for Nursing, Policy, and Patient Care
The DOJ’s move to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III signals more than a policy shift – it marks the first federal acknowledgment of state-licensed cannabis systems. For nurses, this is a defining moment to lead with evidence, bridge clinical gaps, and guide patients safely through an evolving landscape of cannabis care.
Pioneering Compassion: UCLA Implements Ryan’s Law Thanks to Cannabis Nursing Advocacy
UCLA’s oncology team has set a new standard in compassionate care by successfully implementing Ryan’s Law (CA SB 311), allowing terminally ill patients to access medical cannabis during hospitalization. This groundbreaking initiative—driven by the advocacy of Jim Bartell and Cannabis Nurses Network leaders Heather Manus, RN, and Ken Sobel, Esq.—demonstrates how thoughtful policy and nurse-led leadership can transform patient care at the end of life.
The Cannabis Nurse Manifesto
We are Cannabis Nurses—witnesses to suffering, champions of hope, and keepers of ancient wisdom fused with modern science. We are healers, educators, and advocates, standing at the intersection of compassion and evidence, daring to transform healthcare and empower...
Celebrate Nurses Week with the Cannabis Nurses Network: Elevating Healthcare through Education and Networking
Discover the innovative intersection of holistic nursing and cannabis science at the Nurses Week Spring Intensive on May 4th, followed by the Cannabis Nursing workshop at Cannabis Science Conference on May 7th. Embrace the future of nursing with us!
Bridging Barriers to Change: The Stigma of Medical Cannabis from the Clinician’s Perspective
I took care of my mother in my home for the last four years of her life. She had end stage Parkinson’s Disease (PD). It was during this time that I learned about cannabis as a medicine. Prior to that I only knew it as a drug, a way to get “high” and a recreation that...
Celebrating Excellence: The 2023 Cannabis Nurses of the Year Award Winners
In a historic year marked by the American Nurses Association recognizing Cannabis Nursing as a nurse specialty, we proudly announce the 2023 Cannabis Nurses of the Year Award winners.
Introducing the 2023 Cannabis Nurses Network Speakers Bureau Members
It's that time of the year again when we shine the spotlight on excellence and dedication within the cannabis nursing community. We are thrilled to introduce and celebrate the remarkable individuals who have earned their place in the prestigious 2023 CNN Speakers...
Cannabis Nursing: Now Recognized by ANA as an Official Nurse Specialty
The Rise of Cannabis Nursing: ANA's Groundbreaking Recognition It's a momentous time in the world of nursing. With the constantly shifting landscape of healthcare, nurses have always been at the forefront, ensuring patients receive compassionate and up-to-date care....
In Recognition of Cannabis Nurses Network 2022 Annual Award Winners!
We are proud of our community. Each year we give our members the chance to nominate & recognize the leaders in our network… these are 2022’s winners.
Stepping into Psychedelics: Why cannabis nurses are in a prime position to step into the role of psychedelic guides
Over the past few years we have seen a rapid growth in interest in psychedelics and how they can fit into healthcare, particularly in the mental health space, to address issues such as Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Suicidality, Addiction and Existential crisis. The...
Illuminating Cannabis Use Disorder; Shedding Light in Dark Places
The legal status of cannabis is rapidly changing in the United States with a total of 33 U.S. states permitting adult use of medical cannabis and 11 states additionally permitting recreational use in 2020 (Hassin & Walsh, 2021). What is Cannabis Use Disorder...
The Demise of Medical Cannabis in Oregon
In 1998, Oregon was the second state in the US to legalize access to medical cannabis, when it launched our Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). Despite our progressive beginnings, Oregon’s current protocols are failing to meet cannabis patient’s needs, and many...
Cannabis Safety for the Aging Population: An Educational Journey
According to several research articles and news reports older adults are the fastest growing subset of cannabis consumers in the US and in Canada. Two articles published online in Clinical Gerontology in 2020 seniors reported using cannabis as medicine but expressed...
Inspiring the Future of Nursing
Cannabis Nurses Network Hosts Spring Intensive May 7, 2022 One Day Virtual Education Event and Nurse Speaker Showcase Inspiring the Future of Nursing San Diego, CA (April 19, 2022) – The Cannabis Nurses Network, a professional development and education network...
The Human Stories Behind Ryan’s Law SB 311
National Context for Ryan's Law While 36 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories allow medical cannabis use, the loose assemblage of state laws has resulted in a system riddled with inconsistencies. And despite growing recognition of cannabis’...
Cannabis Nurses Network 2020 Nursing Awards & Nominations
Cannabis Nurses Network took a moment to look back on all we had accomplished this year, as a network, and as a collection of marvelous cannabis nurses, and to specifically honor some important people in our community. Recognition is one of the core values of Cannabis...