Three Chapters, One Vision

The publication of Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing marks an important milestone for healthcare and for the emerging specialty of cannabis nursing.

As cannabis use continues to expand across medical, wellness, and adult-use settings, healthcare professionals are increasingly being asked to answer questions about cannabinoid therapeutics, safety, dosing, delivery methods, drug interactions, and harm reduction. Yet despite growing patient demand, many nurses and healthcare professionals have received little or no formal education on the endocannabinoid system or cannabis therapeutics.

This is precisely why Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing was created. Edited by Karina Pinto Araya and Rita Zeine and published by IGI Global Scientific Publishing, this groundbreaking textbook helps bridge the gap between patient use and professional knowledge. The book explores the evolving role of nurses in cannabinoid care while addressing critical topics such as policy, advocacy, palliative care, social determinants of health, cannabis use disorder, patient education, and clinical practice.

Elisabeth Mack and I are honored to have contributed three chapters to this important work. While each chapter stands independently, together they reflect a shared vision for the future of cannabis nursing.

Chapter 7: The Cannabis Nurse: A New Paradigm for Patient and Community Care

Written by Elisabeth Mack, MBA, BSN, RN, this chapter explores the emergence of the Cannabis Nurse as a new specialty role within healthcare.

As access to cannabis products continues to grow, there remains a significant shortage of clinicians prepared to guide patients safely and effectively. This chapter outlines the knowledge, skills, competencies, workflows, and quality measures required for nurses to support patients using cannabinoid therapeutics.

The chapter examines the role of the Cannabis Nurse across oncology, palliative care, geriatrics, mental health, pain management, and community health settings. It also highlights opportunities for leadership, entrepreneurship, program development, and health system integration.

At its core, this chapter asks an important question: If patients are already using cannabis therapeutically, who will help them do so safely?

The answer increasingly points to nurses.

Chapter 9: From Spirit to Symptom: A Caring Science Model for Cannabis Nursing

Written by me, Sherri Mack, BSN, RN, this chapter explores a different but equally important dimension of cannabis nursing.

While much of healthcare focuses on symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment protocols, this chapter begins with a different premise: healing often starts long before symptom relief occurs.

Drawing upon Holistic Nursing, Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, Caring Science, and contemporary cannabinoid research, the chapter proposes that spirituality is not separate from healthcare. Rather, spirituality may be the foundation upon which healing occurs.

The chapter introduces the Spirituality-First Clinical Model and the H.I.G.H. Framework (Hope, Inspiration, Growth, and Healing), illustrating how cannabis-supported care can influence the biological, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains of health.

Through patient narratives and clinical experiences, the chapter demonstrates that cannabis nursing is not simply about recommending products. It is about presence, relationship, intention, nonjudgment, and helping patients reconnect with their own capacity for healing.

This work reflects a belief that has guided my nursing practice for decades: Spirituality is not only the root of cannabis care, but spirituality is the root of ALL CARE!

Chapter 13: Medical Cannabis Curriculum for Nursing Students: An Evidence-Based, Ready-to-Teach Framework

Returning to the educational focus, Elisabeth’s second chapter addresses one of the greatest challenges facing healthcare today: preparing future nurses for a world where cannabis therapeutics is increasingly part of patient care.

Despite widespread patient use, most nursing programs still provide little formal education on medical cannabis. As a result, many graduates enter practice feeling unprepared to discuss cannabis use, assess safety concerns, identify drug interactions, or provide evidence-informed guidance.

This chapter offers a practical solution.

Grounded in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Guidelines and the American Nurses Association/American Cannabis Nurses Association Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, the chapter presents a ready-to-teach curriculum that can be integrated into undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

The framework includes: • Endocannabinoid system physiology • Cannabinoid pharmacology • Product literacy • Clinical assessment • Dosing principles • Safety monitoring • Harm reduction • Case-based learning • Simulation strategies • Competency evaluation

The goal is simple: ensure that future nurses are prepared to meet patients where they are.

The Future of Cannabis Nursing - Although these chapters address different aspects of practice, they share a common vision. Cannabis nursing is not simply about cannabis. It is about nursing and whole person care. It is about applying nursing science, caring science, education, advocacy, assessment, and therapeutic relationship-building to a rapidly evolving area of healthcare.

• One chapter defines the role.

• One chapter explores the philosophy.

• One chapter prepares the next generation.

Together, they represent an emerging framework for how nurses can lead the integration of cannabinoid therapeutics into modern healthcare.

As cannabis nursing continues to evolve, nurses will play an increasingly important role in reducing stigma, improving safety, promoting harm reduction, supporting informed decision-making, and helping patients navigate complex treatment choices.

We are honored to contribute to this important conversation and grateful to the patients, nurses, educators, researchers, and healthcare professionals who continue to advance this work every day.

The future of cannabis nursing is being written now. And we believe nurses should help lead the way.

Explore the Book “Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing”

IGI Global Scientific Publishing - All chapters may be viewed or purchased individually through the publisher.

Our Contributing Chapters, Abstracts and Keywords

Chapter 7 - https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/chapter/412804

Mack, E. (2026). The Cannabis Nurse: A New Paradigm for Patient and Community Care. In K. Pinto Araya & R. Zeine (Eds.), Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing (pp. 205-230). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-7287-7.ch007

ABSTRACT - As cannabis nursing develops, it meets the growing demand for expert support among patients using cannabis therapeutically. After all, this novel field has developed in response to a need; access to medical cannabis has grown, yet access to trained clinicians to help steer care has not. This chapter outlines the Cannabis Nurse’s role and practical strategies for integrating it into healthcare and communities, and positions cannabis nursing within emerging models of value-based and integrative care. It covers core knowledge areas, essential skills, workflows, and quality metrics from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Real-world examples highlight its impact in oncology, geriatrics, palliative care, mental health, and pain management. The chapter also discusses entrepreneurial, administrative and business opportunities, offering resources for administrators and nurse leaders, and clear pathways for nurses’ education and leadership in providing value-based care.

Keywords: Cannabis Nursing, Endocannabinoid System, Clinical Assessment, Harm Reduction, Holistic Care, Healthcare Innovation, Nursing Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Disease Management, Health System Integration

Chapter 9 - https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/chapter/412806

Mack, S. (2026). From Spirit to Symptom: A Caring Science Model for Cannabis Nursing. In K. Pinto Araya & R. Zeine (Eds.), Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing (pp. 257-290). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-7287-7.ch009

ABSTRACT - This chapter examines cannabis nursing as an emerging specialty grounded in caring science, holistic nursing philosophy, and contemporary cannabinoid research, advancing a spirituality-first approach to clinical practice. Drawing upon Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, professional nursing standards, and the endocannabinoid system, the chapter asserts that spirituality is foundational to ethical, person-centered nursing practice. The Spirituality-First Clinical Model and the H.I.G.H. Framework (Hope, Inspiration, Growth, and Healing) are introduced to illustrate how cannabis supported care may influence physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual domains of health. Through selected clinical narratives, the chapter demonstrates how presence, nonjudgment, intention, and relationship centered care shape outcomes. Emerging evidence supports the role of cannabinoids in symptom management, while also identifying potential risks. This work positions cannabis nursing as a relational and ethically grounded specialty that supports whole person care.

Keywords: Caring Science, Cannabis Nursing, Caritas Processes, Endocannabinoid System, Holistic Nursing, Medical Cannabis, Nursing Presence, Spiritual Assessment, Spiritual Care in Nursing, Therapeutic Relationship, Trauma Informed Care, Transpersonal Caring, Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, Spirituality-First Clinical Model, H.I.G.H. Framework

Chapter 13 - https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/chapter/412810

Mack, E. A. (2026). Medical Cannabis Curriculum for Nursing Students: An Evidence-Based, Ready-to-Teach Framework. In K. Pinto Araya & R. Zeine (Eds.), Comprehensive Approaches to Cannabis Nursing (pp. 383-416). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-7287-7.ch013

ABSTRACT - This chapter presents an evidence-informed, ready-to-implement curriculum for integrating medical cannabis education into undergraduate and graduate nursing programs (BSN/MSN/APRN). Grounded in the NCSBN’s 2018 national guidelines and the 2024 ACNA/ANA Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, it translates essential competencies—including legal literacy, endocannabinoid system physiology, cannabinoid pharmacology, dosing principles, product literacy, a whole-person assessment, and harm-reduction strategies—into a structured instructional model that aligns with contemporary nursing education frameworks.

Despite widespread patient use, most nursing graduates receive no formal preparation to counsel on cannabis use, assess safety risks, or evaluate drug–drug interactions. This chapter addresses that gap by providing modular content, case-based learning tools, simulation strategies, and competency-based evaluation methods. The curriculum equips faculty to teach confidently, supports safe and nonjudgmental patient care, and provides a scalable foundation for ADN, BSN, MSN, and APRN programs seeking to incorporate cannabis therapeutics into modern nursing practice.

Keywords: Cannabis Nursing, Cannabinoid Therapeutics, Clinical Assessment, Endocannabinoid System, Medical Cannabis Curriculum, Nursing Education, Pharmacology, Product Literacy, Safety and Monitoring, Harm Reduction

Each chapter of the book is available for individual viewing and purchase directly on the IGI Global Website, offering you the flexibility to acquire only the content that is most pertinent to your interests. We also invite you to download a complimentary Book Preview. This comprehensive preview provides a detailed overview of all the chapters and their contents, giving you a sneak peek into the valuable insights within. This feature allows you to explore the material thoroughly and select the sections most relevant to your particular journey toward holistic wellness through the groundbreaking field of Cannabis Nursing.