Position Statement Tackles Marijuana Issues

It’s not unusual for AMDA to tackle challenging, even controversial, issues, so it’s not surprising that the organization took on the use of marijuana in nursing homes and developed a well-thought-out, researched position statement on the topic. A workgroup led by Jamyl Walker, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, and Victoria Walker, MD, CMD, spent many hours reviewing studies, public policy, and other information, and they came up with an excellent guiding document for AMDA members and others.

“Our workgroup met routinely, and we produced multiple drafts. We read through all of the rules and regulations and studied dozens of articles in the literature. We wanted to give people something they can use in their nursing homes,” said Ms. Walker. “State laws and regulations vary, but this is a good starting document for practitioners.”

In addition to reminding clinicians and facilities that marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, the statement encourages investment by the research community and pharmaceutical industry and more inclusive research of particular importance to post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) residents. It addresses many other key issues, including what is known about marijuana and its effect on the older population in the setting of chronic disease and polypharmacy. It also discusses the role of clinicians and staff in the administration, monitoring, and use of marijuana, as well as processes to address safety/quality concerns and informed consent.

“One of the ways we tried to wrap our heads around this issue was to go back to what is familiar to us as clinicians and start by understanding the problem based on evidence and pulling that into recommendations,” says Ms. Walker.

This document is important, suggests Dr. Walker, in part because “there is confusion among consumers and professionals alike about what to trust and what we really know about marijuana.” The AMDA statement is also significant because it was written, says Dr. Walker, by “a group of highly respected professionals who have devoted their careers to serving this population and who want to ensure the best possible care for our patients.” When practitioners are having discussions with patients and families, she notes, it’s useful to have an evidence-based document as reference. It enables them to provide person-centered care that is based on sound information.

The conversation about marijuana, whether it’s with patients and families or administrators and team leaders, can be challenging; and it can be difficult to determine where to start. This position statement, says Dr. Walker, “is a good overview of the issues and the questions they need to consider.” Ms. Walker adds, “You can talk to your administrator and outline a template about how to move forward and the decisions and processes that will be necessary to address concerns such as storage, disposal, and administration. You need to look at all of these things before agreeing to use marijuana with your nursing home patients.”

Click here to read and/or download the position statement.