Mary Lynn Mathre, RN, MSN, CARN
Clinician 5, Addictions Consult Nurse
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
Misuse of Research:
Lessons Learned from the Cannabis Prohibition
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Do you know that cannabis has been used medicinally throughout the world for centuries?
Do you know that there has never been a documented overdose from cannabis/marijuana?
Do you know that tincture of cannabis and other cannabis preparations were often
prescribed by American physicians for a variety of ailments earlier this century?
Do you know that the name was changed (from cannabis to marijuana) in the 1930's to
create the hysteria about a "new" drug threat which ultimately led to the
prohibition of the cannabis plant?
Do you know that the oil from the cannabis seed does not contain the psychoactive
cannabinoids, but is one of the richest sources of two essential fatty acids?
Do you know that Levi jeans were originally made from hemp and the first draft of the
Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper - cloth and paper products known for
durability and quality without toxic waste in processing.
Do you know that the government had to re-educate the American farmers (1942 film by the
Department of Agriculture, "Hemp for Victory") on how to grow marijuana/hemp
because we desperately needed the fiber and oil products (especially rope)?
Do you know that cannabis does not cause significant physical addiction?
Do you know the health risks (side effects and adverse consequences) of cannabis?
Do you know that all legal access to medical cannabis in the U.S. has been closed since
1992?
As a health care professional, can you provide a patient with research-based rationale
as to why he or she cannot or should not use this medicine other than simply - "its
against the law"?
Do you know the Code of Ethics for Nurses and if so, what implications does this
information have on your practice?
