Merch
Medical card
For over 5,000 years, humans around the world have turned to cannabis to support whole-body health, with no recorded fatalities. Renowned for its safety and effectiveness, cannabis has long been a trusted remedy for people of all ages. Today, it is reclaiming its place as a powerful healing tool with an unmatched safety record, and with that comes the support of Cannabis Nurses.
Nursing at its heart is a compassionate and comprehensive practice. It transcends mere symptom treatment to address the entire individual—mind, body, and spirit. This holistic essence defines modern nursing. Cannabis Nursing, a rapidly growing specialization, perfectly embodies this philosophy. It seamlessly integrates scientific knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with an unwavering commitment to patient-centered, holistic care, fundamentally reshaping our approach to wellness and healing (NCSBN, 2018).
What is Cannabis Nursing?
Cannabis nursing is a specialized field focused on educating, guiding, and supporting individuals in the therapeutic use of cannabis. This involves using cannabis products to enhance health, healing, and overall well-being. Recognizing that this experience is deeply personal, the primary goal is to improve one of five health domains—biological, mental, emotional, spiritual, or social—without negatively affecting any others.
Cannabis Nurses are experts in the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid pharmacology, patient assessment and teaching, and harm reduction strategies for cannabis use. Their responsibilities extend beyond product advice; they create comprehensive, individualized care plans addressing each patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. As advocates, educators, and holistic care providers, cannabis nurses ensure safe, ethical, and evidence-based support for those integrating cannabis into their health and wellness routines (American Nurses Association, 2023).
A fundamental resource for understanding the depth and standards of this specialty is the Scope and Standards of Cannabis Nursing book. This publication serves as a comprehensive guide, outlining the core principles, competencies, and ethical obligations that shape the practice of cannabis nursing. It details the assessment and planning standards, advocates for patient-centered and equitable care, and emphasizes the importance of continuing education, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. By grounding the field in a unified framework, the Scope and Standards of Cannabis Nursing helps nurses deliver consistent, high-quality care and supports the ongoing professionalization of cannabis nursing (American Nurses Association, 2023).
What is Holistic Nursing?
Holistic nursing is the practice of nursing that aims for whole person healing—body, mind, spirit, emotion, and environment—rather than focusing solely on discrete symptoms. The approach recognizes that health is shaped by the dynamic interplay of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors. Holistic nurses honor the person’s own experience, values, beliefs, and healing capacity, partnering with them in their care through intuition, evidence, and multiple ways of knowing and expressing. The essence of nursing is caring, and that includes the entire human experience.
It is not just what a nurse does—it is a philosophy and way of being that requires integration of self-care, spirituality, reflection, and awareness of the interconnection among self, others, nature, and the environment.
According to the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), holistic nursing “embraces all nursing practices that have the enhancement of healing the whole person from birth to death as its goal” (Frisch, 2001).
Cannabis nursing fits seamlessly into this framework. The practice is centered on caring for individuals seeking guidance on the therapeutic use of cannabis. This involves much more than recommending a product; it’s about creating a comprehensive care plan that supports the individual’s entire being to support bio-psycho-social spiritual healing.
Organizations like Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse champion this integrative approach, providing education and resources to help both patients and nurses deliver excellent holistic care in the field of cannabis nursing.
The Endocannabinoid System: The Body’s Bridge to Balance
At the heart of cannabis nursing is a deep understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a vast network of receptors and signaling molecules that helps regulate nearly every major bodily function, including sleep, mood, appetite, pain, and immune response. Its primary goal is to maintain homeostasis, or internal balance among all body systems.
A cannabis nurse leverages knowledge of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to guide patients. Cannabis nurses recognize that cannabinoids from the cannabis and hemp plant, like THC and CBD, interact with this system as supplements. This interaction can help restore balance disrupted by illness or stress. Our role as cannabis nurses extends beyond recommending cannabis and hemp products.
The Cannabis Care Nurse strives to provide alternative solutions from multiple holistic healing modalities that support the endocannabinoid system, such as nutrition, movement, rest, connection, and overall wellness. Cannabis nurses aim to support the body’s own healing mechanisms—a fundamentally holistic concept that works with the body rather than just acting upon it.
Patient-Centered Care: The Holistic Standard
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) guidelines for medical cannabis emphasize the importance of approaching patients without judgment (NCSBN, 2018). This is a cornerstone of cannabis nursing. Many patients turn to cannabis after conventional treatments have failed, often facing stigma from society and healthcare providers alike.
A cannabis nurse creates a safe, compassionate space for patients to share their experiences and goals. Nurses trained through organizations such as Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse engage deeply to understand each patient’s unique culture, values, and health knowledge This collaborative relationship empowers patients to take an active role in their own healing journey.
Patient-centered care in cannabis nursing involves:
- Comprehensive Assessment: A cannabis nurse conducts a thorough assessment that goes beyond physical symptoms to include lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and emotional well-being.
- Personalized Planning: The care plan is developed collaboratively with the patient, integrating cannabis therapeutics with other wellness practices. These include nutrition, physical activity, social connection, and restorative rest, which encompasses stress management techniques.
- Education and Empowerment: Educating patients is a major role of the cannabis nurse. They demystify cannabinoids, various products, routes of use, explaining potential benefits, risks, and harm reduction strategies, which empowers patients to make informed health decisions (NCSBN, 2018)
More Than Medicine: Integrating Lifestyle and Advocacy
Holistic and cannabis nursing care is never about a single solution. Cannabis nurses recognize that true wellness involves a multifaceted approach. Just like medicine cannot rely on pills and procedures, cannabis care nurses utilize holistic models that include exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes to support healing and systemic homeostasis among all body systems. For example, a care plan for a patient with chronic pain may include:
- Guidance on cannabis titration dosing to find the most effective and lowest dose of different formulations for various times of day
- Recommendations for a whole food anti-inflammatory diet
- Suggestions for gentle movement, such as yoga or stretching
- Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
A cornerstone of the cannabis nurse’s practice is advocacy. Operating within an intricate legal and healthcare system, cannabis nurses champion their patients’ interests. They actively collaborate with other healthcare professionals, meticulously ensuring that patient needs and the appropriate integration of cannabis into care plans are clearly conveyed. This interprofessional synergy fosters integrated, comprehensive support, as noted by the NCSBN (2018). Beyond individual patient care, these nurses are instrumental in advocating for policy reforms that enhance patient access to safe, rigorously tested cannabis products across all healthcare settings.
Reducing Stigma Through Compassionate Care
One of the most profound ways cannabis nursing embodies holistic principles is by working to reduce stigma. The NCSBN guidelines explicitly state that nurses should approach patients without judgment regarding their treatment choices (NCSBN, 2018). Cannabis nurses live this principle every day with our professionalism in this novel field. Healing can include euphoria, and that is never wrong.
By providing evidence-based education and compassionate care, they challenge outdated perceptions of cannabis. They serve as change agents, normalizing the use of cannabis as a legitimate therapeutic option. This work is crucial for the emotional and social well-being of patients, who may feel isolated or ashamed due to their choice of medicine. In this specialty, nurses provide care that honors the dignity and uniqueness of each individual.
The Importance of Professional Growth and Evidence-Based Practice
The field of cannabis science is rapidly evolving. For cannabis nurses, a commitment to professional development and evidence-based practice is essential. The Scope and Standards of Cannabis Nursing guidebook stands as a foundational reference, providing detailed frameworks, standards of care, and the latest best practices for nurses in this specialty (American Nurses Association, 2023).
Alongside this, the NCSBN guidelines emphasize the importance of staying current with ECS research, changes in pharmacology, and shifting legal regulations (NCSBN, 2018). Ongoing educational programs from organizations like Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse further support nurses as they advance their knowledge and skills in the field through a comprehensive curriculum and live mentorship and mastermind sessions.
This dedication to continuous learning ensures that patients receive the safest and most effective care possible. By integrating the latest scientific evidence with time-honored principles of holistic care, cannabis nurses are helping to shape a new era in patient wellness.
Meet Six Cannabis Nurses Leading the Way
To truly understand the impact and breadth of this specialty, it’s important to meet nurses who are dedicating their careers to holistic cannabis care. The following professionals are full-time cannabis nurses who have completed the Cannabis Nurse Health Coach Certificate Program and are actively working across the country, each with unique stories and approaches to patient advocacy and education.
- Laura Barrett MBA, BSN, RN – Ask Nurse Laura shares her story of becoming a nurse and cannabis nurse in this heartfelt blog. Since 2019, she has worked independently as a cannabis nurse educator and consultant.
- Denise Costello MS, RN – Creator of “The Energized Body” and “The Elevated Way” where she teaches a cutting-edge, holistic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness using cannabis and hemp CBD.
- Elisabeth Mack MBA, BSN, BA, RN – Co-founder and CEO of Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse and owner and CEO of Bloom Hemp CBD, her goal is to change the paradigm of healthcare with plant based therapies.
- Sherri Mack BSN, RN – Co-founder and Chief Nursing Officer of Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse, VP of Nursing at Bloom Hemp CBD, and 4x Award Winning Podcaster, her tag line is to “Live Your Best Life and Help Others Do the Same”.
- Dr. Sarah Slater, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CPHON – Founder of Balanced Kids, a concierge pediatric practice dedicated to providing high-quality conventional and plant-based medicine offering families stress-free, personalized care outside the traditional clinic setting.
- Rhiannon Stare RN, CMC – Aging Life Care Professional and Owner of Riverside Care Advisors and the visionary behind Elder Bloom Wellness-a groundbreaking service that blends plant-based medicine, functional mushrooms, aromatherapy, and natural therapies to support aging adults.
These are six examples of nurses who represent the heart of compassionate, evidence-based care within cannabis nursing, combining their medical expertise with a deep understanding of how cannabis can be used to support patient health and well-being. Their dedication ensures patients receive personalized care grounded in the latest research and best practices that align with both the NCSBN guidelines and the newly published Scope and Standards of Cannabis Nursing.
Cannabis Nurse Authors
We extend our deepest gratitude to the visionary nurse entrepreneurs who are courageously stepping into the burgeoning cannabis space. Their dedication is vital in guiding patients through the complex landscape of medicinal cannabis applications, ensuring safe and informed usage. Furthermore, we wish to acknowledge with profound respect those pioneering individuals who, through their insightful and groundbreaking writing, have illuminated and advanced this specialized field, effectively creating a foundation of knowledge for others to build upon. This curated list proudly showcases books penned by these exceptional Cannabis Nurses, whose expertise and compassion are invaluable to patient care.
- Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses – Authored by Dr. Carey Clark, with valuable contributions from a team of cannabis nurse authors.
- Cannabis for Health: Become a Coach – Holistic Caring by Elisabeth Mack
- Cannabis Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice – Authored by cannabis nurses from the American Cannabis Nurses Association.
- Healing with CBD: How Cannabidiol Can Transform Your Health without the High by Eileen Konieczny, Lauren Wilson | eBook | Barnes & Noble® by Eileen Konieczny.
- Memoir ‘Stigmatized: A Hero’s Journey’ Debunks Cannabis Myths, serves as an Inspiring look into one nurse’s experience of discovering her super power – Send2Press Newswire by Ashley Wynn-Grimes.
- Pain-Free with CBD: Everything You Need to Know to Safely and Effectively Use Cannabidiol by Alice O’Leary Randall and Eloise Theisen.
- Bridge To Healing: A Psychedelic Preparation and Integration Journal From Ask Nurse Laura by Laura Barrett.
A New Frontier in Holistic Healing
Cannabis nursing is more than a specialty; it is a movement back to the roots of nursing, and the inclusion of plants in healthcare. It champions a model of care that is compassionate, comprehensive, and centered on the whole person. By leveraging a scientific understanding of the ECS and embracing holistic modalities, these nurses empower patients to achieve balance and wellness (NCSBN, 2018).
As this field continues to grow, there are cannabis nursing organizations who are making significant contributions to shaping a healthcare future that is more integrative, compassionate, and truly holistic.
- American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) – Founded in 2006 and officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2010 by Nurse Mary Lynn Mathre and her dedicated colleagues, the American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) is devoted to advancing excellence in cannabis nursing through advocacy, education, research, and policy development.
- Cannabis Nurses Network™(CNN) – Established in 2015 by Nurse Heather Sobel, CNN is a global platform supporting the professional growth of nurses by providing education in cannabis science, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities to apply this knowledge in their communities.
- Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse (HC/GN) – Co-founded in 2016 by Nurses Elisabeth Mack and Sherri Mack, both of whom served as board members of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and are active members of the Cannabis Nurses Network and The Society of Cannabis Clinicians. Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse is an educational platform offering education, coaching and consulting to both patients, providers and registered nurses within their Free Holistic Caring Green Nurse Network.
This September marks two years since the Cannabis Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice was affirmed by the American Nurses Association (ANA) on September 27th, 2023. This landmark recognition established cannabis nursing as a specialty practice, highlighting the expertise nurses bring in educating, guiding, and caring for patients who seek therapeutic use of cannabis. Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse are committed to elevating cannabis nursing standards.
They actively foster this by championing advocacy, driving collaboration, delivering comprehensive education, conducting impactful research, and developing specialized programs and curricula. Additionally, they offer expert coaching, consulting, and mentoring to both patients and healthcare professionals. Read the most recent blog on the new launch of the Cannabis Nurse Health Coach Certificate Program. Check out their most recent blog post on “Cannabis Nursing is at Holistic Caring” – Holistic Caring
The Cannabis Nurse Manifesto
We are healers, educators, and advocates, standing at the intersection of compassion and evidence, daring to transform healthcare and empower humanity. We believe in the innate dignity, autonomy, and healing potential of every person. We honor the endocannabinoid system as a fundamental pillar of health and wellbeing, recognizing plant medicine as both a right and a resource. We are the future of nursing. We are the stewards of healing plants. We are the advocates for patient choice, public health, and policy grounded in science and compassion. Let this be our call: To care, to educate, to advocate, and to lead.
Cannabis Nurse Heather Sobel (2025) perfectly outlines the ethical and professional foundations of cannabis nursing in The Cannabis Nurse Manifesto.
We pledge to:
- Advocate Fiercely— For patients’ rights to access safe, evidence-based cannabis therapeutics without stigma, shame, or legal jeopardy.
- Educate Relentlessly— To empower our patients, colleagues, and communities with knowledge rooted in research, clinical experience, and respect for lived wisdom.
- Practice Holistically— To see the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and environment—embracing cannabis as a tool in integrative, person-centered care.
- Lead Courageously— To challenge outdated policies, bridge gaps in healthcare, and stand against injustice and inequity wherever they arise.
- Research Diligently— To advance the science of cannabis nursing through inquiry, curiosity, and a commitment to truth—never settling for less than best practices and new understanding.
- Heal Inclusively— To honor diversity, cultural heritage, and the voices of those historically silenced or marginalized in medicine and society.
- Hold Sacred Space— For healing, listening, and the unfolding of each individual’s journey—free from judgment, full of compassion.
- Support Each Other— To lift our fellow nurses, celebrate our victories, learn from our struggles, and grow together as a global community of change-makers.
Final Words from Your Favorite Green Nurses
Cannabis is not going away. If anything, its role in healthcare will only grow as more states legalize, more patients turn to plant-based therapies, and more research emerges. The future of healthcare lies in patient empowerment, with cannabis, hemp-derived CBD, and botanical formulations serving as powerful tools to support this vision. Patients want to reduce pharmaceuticals and procedures that no longer serve their best interest. These natural remedies help patients regulate the Endocannabinoid System, addressing root causes for holistic and systemic whole person healing.
Nurses must be prepared to lead — not follow — in this space. The American Nurses Association is the only licensed healthcare organization who has taken a stance to advocate for the safe therapeutic use of cannabis and hemp derived CBD professionally. The American Medical Association continues to classify it as a substance of abuse and only supports the use of cannabis-based medications that are approved by the FDA.
We are Cannabis Nurses—and we are here to heal the world.
With you on the journey,
Ask The Green Nurse with Sherri Mack BSN, RN & Elisabeth Mack MBA, BSN, RN
Ask The Green Nurse content on the Cannigma is brought to you by Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse and Bloom Hemp CBD.
- Holistic Caring & The Green Nurse – Comprehensive plant medicine education for patients and healthcare providers, including CEUs for nurses, along with expert coaching and private consulting services.
- Join The Green Nurses in their Free Holistic Caring Network to access continuous learning and meaningful connections with other patients and providers who are learning about the most misunderstood plant in the world. Enjoy a monthly plant medicine support group, an introduction to cannabis program, and the ABCs of CBD program—all at no cost.
- Bloom Hemp CBD – Experience Doctor and Nurse-formulated Organic Hemp CBD, crafted with Ayurvedic inspiration and designed to target specific symptoms. Benefit from free access to a nurse hotline at 970-404- HOPE (4773) and personalized care plans, thoughtfully provided by expert cannabis nurses. Shop today, use promo code GREENURSE for 10% savings and free shipping.
Final References
- American Nurses Association. (2023, September 27). ANA officially recognizes cannabis nursing as a specialty nursing practice. NursingWorld.
- American Nurses Association. (2023). Cannabis nursing: Scope and standards of practice (1st ed.). American Nurses Association, Inc.
- Barrett, L. I never dreamed of being a nurse, but I was always meant to be one. Holistic Caring.
- Costello, D.. The elevated way: Unlocking the secret to youthful energy and weight loss. Holistic Caring.
- Frisch, N. C. (2001, May 31). Standards for holistic nursing practice: A way to think about our care that includes complementary and alternative modalities. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 6(2).
- Lagasse, J. (2023, September 29). ANA recognizes cannabis nursing as a specialty nursing practice. Healthcare Finance News.
- Mack, E. Elisabeth Mack: Becoming a nurse. Holistic Caring.
- MacK, E., & MacK, S. Cannabis nursing is at Holistic Caring. Holistic Caring.
- Mack, S. Cannabis nursing is a specialty. Holistic Caring.
- Mack, S. Cannabis nursing: Scope and standards. The Green Nurse (Substack).
- Mack, S.. Why I became a nurse: From compassionate child to cannabis nursing pioneer. Holistic Caring.
- Manus-Sobel, H. (2025, May 4). The cannabis nurse manifesto. Cannabis Nurses Network (Substack).
- Moore, E. (2024, July 2). Connecting the dots with cannabis care. American Nurse Journal / My American Nurse.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2018). The NCSBN National Nursing Guidelines for Medical Marijuana.
- Nelson, R. (2023, April 13). Evolving cannabis nursing specialty struggles for acceptance. Medscape.
- Slater, S. Termination: My story — Why we need pediatric medical cannabis policy. Holistic Caring. Stare, R. Easing aging with nature: Supporting older adults and caregivers through cannabis and wellness. Holistic Caring.
Sign up for bi-weekly updates, packed full of cannabis education, recipes, and tips. Your inbox will love it.
