LEAVING OUR BIAS AT THE DOOR:
A Nurse’ s Role in Cannabis Education
By Kim King
We are all human, and we all have biases. As a nurse with many years of experience, I recognize that our profession provides compassion and patient-centered care that patients appreciate. Every day, we ask our patients to be honest with us about their health, medications, lifestyle choices, and substance use. For patients to feel safe sharing that information, they must trust that they will be met without judgment. That trust begins with us. As nurses, we must leave our personal opinions and biases at the door.
Whether someone calls it cannabis, marijuana, weed, or another name, the terminology matters far less than the conversation. Our responsibility is not to judge what our patients call it or whether we personally agree with its use. Our responsibility is to understand what they are using, why they are using it, and how it may affect their health. This applies across every healthcare setting— from emergency departments and primary care offices to oncology, hospice, mental health, and home care. To provide safe, evidence-based care, we must first become comfortable discussing cannabis with our colleagues, and then with our patients. Having informed talking points and a solid foundation of knowledge allows us to have open, productive conversations that support better patient outcomes.
My own journey into cannabis education began with a personal experience. Nearly 10 years ago, my daughter accidentally ingested a cannabis edible. Like any parent, I was frightened. In that moment, however, I realized that if I had focused on blaming or criticizing the business involved, I would have missed the opportunity to gather the information needed to help my daughter and prevent a similar situation from happening to others. Fortunately, she recovered without lasting effects. That experience changed my perspective and inspired me to learn everything I could about cannabis, its effects, and the important role nurses play in educating patients and families.
As nursing continues to evolve,
26 NSNA Imprint