Board of Nursing

Marijuana

Marijuana is regulated through the Department of Health and Senior Services. You may visit their page here.

The National Council State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) has a set of marijuana guidelines, which you can find at https://www.ncsbn.org/marijuana-guidelines.htm.

Section 335.066 RSMo contains grounds for license discipline or denial. You may view the entire list at https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=335.066&bid=35888&hl

The list includes:

• Use or unlawful possession of any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 195, by the federal government, or by the department of health and senior services by regulation, regardless of impairment, or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs a person's ability to perform the work of any profession licensed or regulated by sections 335.011 to 335.096. A blood alcohol content of .08 shall create a presumption of impairment;
• Violation of the drug laws or rules and regulations of this state, any other state or the federal government;
• A pattern of personal use or consumption of any controlled substance or any substance which requires a prescription unless it is prescribed, dispensed, or administered by a provider who is authorized by law to do so or a pattern of abuse of any prescription medication;

Nurses must keep in mind that marijuana, in any form, is still federally illegal. Employers and nurses who receive funds from federal sources (like Medicare) will have to address possession on the premises and the administration of marijuana. Employers will also have to determine how to manage staff and their personal use/possession of medical marijuana.