The American Cannabis Nurses Association Advocates for Cannabis Use for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

ALBANY, N.Y., May 19, 2020 (Newswire.com) - The American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA), recognizing all the brave medical and healthcare professionals who are on the front lines of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, today releases a position statement on Cannabis Use for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“In light of the pandemic, ACNA recognizes that many people will experience the trauma of serious illness and loss of loved ones under highly stressful circumstances,” said ACNA President Eloise Theisen, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC. “These traumatic events can lead to a PTSD diagnosis, which has been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A high percentage of patients cannot tolerate conventional treatment options for PTSD but many have discovered cannabis can help.” The ACNA position statement on cannabis use for PTSD calls on the nation’s governing bodies to acknowledge cannabis as a treatment for PTSD and “improve the public safety, health and economic development of their communities.”

Of the 33 states, plus the District of Columbia, that have medical cannabis laws, only two states do not recognize PTSD as a qualified medical use of cannabis. A total of 17 states still have no medical cannabis program or safe access. “We hope that more states will adopt PTSD as a qualifying condition while we work on descheduling the plant and continue to provide patients with safe access," said Eloise Theisen, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC.

ACNA Board of Directors member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee Michael Rochlin, RN, MN, COHN-S, CSP stated, “This unusual crisis demands innovative thinking, and ACNA has professional members to provide a meaningful impact.” Non-stop and unrelenting service in the face of this public health crisis can bring about PTSD, and it is important for the American healthcare system, policymakers, medical personnel and the general public to know about the important role that cannabinoids can play in the treatment of PTSD.  ​

Nurses and healthcare professionals who wish to learn more about the role cannabinoids can play in medical treatment are invited to attend Cannabis Care 2020, ACNA's annual conference, being held Dec. 6-9, 2020 at the Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additional details can be found at cannabisnurses.org.

Source: American Cannabis Nurses Association