Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN
Clinician 5, Addictions Consult Nurse
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center

Misuse of Research:
Lessons Learned from the Cannabis Prohibition

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

• Do you know that cannabis has been used medicinally throughout the world for centuries?
• Do you know that there has never been a documented overdose from cannabis/marijuana?
• Do you know that tincture of cannabis and other cannabis preparations were often prescribed by American physicians for a variety of ailments earlier this century?
• Do you know that the name was changed (from cannabis to marijuana) in the 1930's to create the hysteria about a "new" drug threat which ultimately led to the prohibition of the cannabis plant?
• Do you know that the oil from the cannabis seed does not contain the psychoactive cannabinoids, but is one of the richest sources of two essential fatty acids?
• Do you know that Levi jeans were originally made from hemp and the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper - cloth and paper products known for durability and quality without toxic waste in processing.
• Do you know that the government had to re-educate the American farmers (1942 film by the Department of Agriculture, "Hemp for Victory") on how to grow marijuana/hemp because we desperately needed the fiber and oil products (especially rope)?
• Do you know that cannabis does not cause significant physical addiction?
• Do you know the health risks (side effects and adverse consequences) of cannabis?
• Do you know that all legal access to medical cannabis in the U.S. has been closed since 1992?
• As a health care professional, can you provide a patient with research-based rationale as to why he or she cannot or should not use this medicine other than simply - "its against the law"?
• Do you know the Code of Ethics for Nurses and if so, what implications does this information have on your practice?