Medicinal Use of Marijuana: What School Nurses Need to Know

The subject of medical marijuana is complex and currently of interest and concern to patients and health care providers. Legislators throughout the United States have passed state-specific laws and regulations that impact medical practice and the use of marijuana as a therapeutic modality. In November 2015, New Jersey became the first state to specifically allow the administration of medical marijuana for students and persons with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this article is to provide a frame of reference for school nurses and to encourage awareness of the implications for student health and relevant nursing interventions in the school setting.