The passage of a law in Washington state adds nurse practitioners to the list of healthcare providers who may recommend marijuana to qualified patients. Previously, only physicians were allowed to make the recommendation. The law came from an advocacy group that aims to make medical marijuana more available. Language of the bill changes "physician" to "healthcare provider" throughout. The bill takes effect June 10.
Louise Kaplan, NP, legislative liaison for ARNP United of Washington State, said the group chose not to take a stance on the bill, because although it would create provider parity and increase access for patients, the potential for legal issues with the Drug Enforcement Agency outweighed the benefits.
"In the end, our scope of practice was expanded without us taking a position on this," Kaplan explained.
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