Based solely on the weight (hey, I’m a good gardener!), we have been charged with felony trafficking. That is simply crazy.

There was absolutely NO other evidence that we have sold or ever intended to sell anything (no scales, no baggies, no large sums of cash, nothing!).

The part about all of this that bugs me the most is that we were taught from Day 1 in nursing school to practice “evidence-based” nursing. It was pounded into us to do our own research and make informed decisions based on that research.

And since I did that, I’m supposed to be embarrassed and slink into a cave somewhere and never come out. Phooey on that!

Apparently, this is one case where we are just supposed to go along with what is being told to us. I have done extensive research into this subject (before ever using it!). Of course I did! I’m no dummy.

But now, I’m just supposed to admit that I did something wrong by growing a plant in my garden. That is crazy too!

I am standing up for myself and for all the other people I know personally who are genuinely helped by the well-documented healing properties of this natural herb. It’s just a plant, folks! In fact, I am learning more about herbal medicine and the way to integrate this into my nursing practice.

I have found that the more I work with patients outside of a true emergency, the more I feel like a drug pusher. How ironic, huh? There are so many of these common health problems that could be helped instead with herbal remedies that don’t carry all the nasty side effects and exorbitant prices of synthetic drugs cooked up in a lab.

(Not to sound like a “conspiracy theorist”, but who would benefit the most from this suppression of information? You guessed it, the big drug companies!)

I am imploring my fellow nurses to do your own research.

You’ll find a lot of info on Multiple Sclerosis, Migraines, Spinal Cord Injury, Inflammation, Pain, and Anxiety, as well as those you would expect to find, like Nausea, Cachexia, Anorexia, etc.

I have also found some websites with really good information to get you started on this type of research. I am rapidly trying to get this information on our newest addition Green Earth Ministries

Until I get these posted, you can start here:

Medical Cannabis

This is what the ANA has to say about what we should be doing to advocate for our patients.

This is the ANA’s Code of Ethics. Pay close attention to numbers 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Drug Science

This site provides scientific and other material regarding the medical use of cannabis (marijuana) and its legal status under the laws of the United States. - This particular article shows that cannabis should AT LEAST be in Schedule III along with Marinol.

Patients Out of Time is a non-profit made up of mostly medical and nursing professionals with expertise in the clinical applications of cannabis. - This particular page has Therapeutic Cannabis Reference Materials.

There are many more places to get researched material. Let’s get this HERB re-classified!

It obviously should not be a Schedule I. I know you remember that to be a Schedule I, a “drug” must not have ANY medicinal use. It has been proven over and over again that cannabis DOES HELP people!

(and it has for centuries!)

If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

Peace,

Brenda Williams-Shoop, RN, BSN