title: Therapeutic use of cannabis.
abstract: Therapeutic cannabis use raises a number of dilemmas for nurses. This article examines the legal, political and ethical challenges raised by the use of cannabis by people with life-limiting or terminal illnesses in their own homes. (Throughout this paper, the term cannabis refers to illegal cannabis unless specified.) A literature review of databases from 1996 was conducted and internet material was also examined. Evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis suggests it may produce improvements in quality of life, which has led to increased use among people with life-limiting illnesses. The cannabis used is usually obtained illegally, which can have consequences for both those who use it and nurses who provide treatment in the community.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Anita J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids