An Australian nurse who has worked at the frontline of both traditional and cannabinoid-based care says recently updated Ahpra guidelines don’t go far enough.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and National Boards this month released updated guidance to help practitioners meet their obligations following a number of incidents involving bad practices associated with prescribing medical cannabis. The update was subsequently backed by the Australian Medical Association (AMA)
Deb Ranson is a Clinical Nurse Consultant, co-founder of the Australian Cannabis Nurses Association and an educator and advocate. Ms. Ranson says while the updated Ahpra guidelines are a step in the right direction, nurses are the bridge between prescriber and patient, and the guidelines don’t sufficiently support the wider multidisciplinary team.
“We monitor for efficacy, advocate for comfort, and uphold patient dignity. We must be empowered to act safely and ethically when it comes to cannabis, not be sidelined by stigma.”
When hospital staff have a patient who has medical cannabis in their possession that has been prescribed, staff often don’t know how to handle the situation. Some nurses treat it like contraband and confiscate it; not out of prejudice, but simply not knowing what to do with it.
Ms. Ranson points out this isn’t just a policy issue but one that effects patient welfare. Patients might hide their use while in hospital, miss their doses or revert to opioids during their stay.
“Until cannabinoid education becomes part of core nursing curricula and hospital policy catches up with legislation, we will continue to place patients and nurses in ethically compromising positions,” says Ms. Ranson.
The Australian Cannabis Nurses Association was publicly launched in 2023, with a vision to offer medicinal cannabis education, advocacy and peer support to nurses.
On a related note, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) recently released a new definition of what it means to be a nurse, underlining their role as advocates, ethical decision-makers, and policy influencers.
“This new era means no more hiding behind outdated oaths or passive compliance,” said Ms. Ranson. “It’s time to lead with courage, especially when it comes to emerging health choices like medicinal cannabis.”
