The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) recognizes that there is evidence for the therapeutic use of marijuana and related compounds and that nurse practitioners (NPs) are frequently the health care providers patients look to for health care treatments.
AANP supports efforts for the continued scientific review of medicinal marijuana and cannabinoid use, the establishment of evidence-based therapeutic recommendations for marijuana and the inclusion of marijuana and cannabinoids in nursing education and continuing education. AANP supports policies that authorize NPs to discuss treatments and treatment alternatives in open and direct dialog with their patients. AANP believes that these conversations are essential to patient care and should be exempt from criminal or professional prosecution, such as loss of licensure.