Reading, Education & Network Partners

Resources & Recommendations

from Experienced Cannabis Nurses

We’ve assembled some of the most valuable resources that we can to help nurses get the best guidance and education, above and beyond the education and benefits we offer our annual members.

Get serious about your cannabis nursing journey by diving into our list of most valuable resources. Below you will find free resources to help get new-to-cannabis nurses get started. For advancing learners and invested professionals, we also have some game changing tools that you can benefit from.

New to Cannabis Nursing?

Here’s our answers to some helpful, frequently asked questions to get you started.

Does Cannabis Nursing have an official specialty or certificate?

The short answer to that question is, no. Right now, cannabis nursing (while having standards of care recommendations established with National Council of State Boards of Nursing) does not have official certification.

That means cannabis nursing expertise is reliant upon getting the essential, top-quality education, and more importantly, personal access to experts and professional mentorship. With this powerful combination, we find nurses and nurse entrepreneurs are able to confidently practice as medical cannabis nurses.

How do I get started with cannabis nursing?

1. Understand the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

Learn about the 12th body system (you probably weren’t educated on during your time at nursing school), your Endocannabinoid System.

Understanding how this system works and affects body processes will help you get a rapid understanding of why cannabis, THC, CBD and so many other compounds in the plant have such a profound and sweeping affect.

2. Find out about your local and state legislation

Because of varying laws across the nation and around the world, it’s important to know what is legal where you live and work. Find out what laws might be changing soon, and see where you can help advocate for safe access and patient protections.

3. Read the NCSBN Guidelines for Medical Cannabis Patient Care

As a professional, you have an expected standard of care, whether or not cannabis is legal where you are. Patients are often self-medicating, and having a basic understanding of the important ethics, standards and practices is essential for all nurses.

NCSBN guidelines expect that all nurses meet a standard of care for medical cannabis patients. Are you ready?

Many of the recommendations require you spend time educating yourself on these topics. One of the major priorities for our Network is to ensure any nurse has the expertise to meet these standards of care.

4. Join local advocacy efforts

After realizing the profound benefits of cannabis medicine, contrasted against the local laws, nurses often find the next step in their journey involves becoming active in local advocacy efforts to ensure that patient access to quality medications, essential education, and fair treatment.

There are lots of local advocacy groups with specific goals around medical cannabis advocacy. Patients Out of Time (POT) is a great place to start as it is focused specifically on patient care. Cannabis Nurses of Color (CNOC) is another organization we highly recommend, catering specifically to the needs and advocacy around BIPOC nurses & patients. (Spoiler Alert: the founders of both of these organizations are CNN members! You can get to know them in our private online community.)

Introductory Education:

Introduction to Medical Cannabis for Nurses: Endocannabinoid System Essentials 

Brought to you in partnership with Integrated Holistic Care – this course covers cannabis medicine and endocannabinoid system fundamentals for new cannabis nurses.

Access to this education program is INCLUDED in Annual Membership, and/or in combination other course purchases. 

CNN’s Favorite Comprehensive Cannabis Nurse Certificate Program

Research & Learning Tool

FCC Affiliate Notice: We only recommend what we love & use. If you decide to sign-up using these links, in some cases, we make some money as an affiliate. Thank you.