Major Nursing Associations Welcome Trump’s Move to Reschedule Marijuana, Citing Potential for Critical Research
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) have praised the Trump administration’s decision to reschedule marijuana, which could pave the way for increased research into the potential health benefits of cannabis.
The decision, which was announced earlier this month, directs the attorney general to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Schedule III drugs are considered to have a lower potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
The ANA and AANA see the rescheduling as a major step forward in advancing public health and supporting evidence-informed clinical care. The ANA stated that the move “advances public health by expanding access to rigorous research, supporting evidence-informed clinical care, and reinforcing patient safety through regulated study and oversight.”
The AANA, which was represented at the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, believes that the rescheduling will expand opportunities for research into the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in pain relief and anesthesia care. The organization’s president, Jeff Molter, said that the move will “open the door to more opportunities” for nurses to conduct research and improve patient safety.
Other healthcare groups, including the American Pharmacists Association, have also welcomed the decision, citing its potential to bolster future research into cannabis.
The rescheduling move is seen as a significant step forward in the ongoing debate over the legalization and regulation of marijuana. While some lawmakers have called for further reforms, such as giving cannabis businesses access to the banking system or legalizing marijuana altogether, the decision is a major victory for advocates of medical marijuana research.
