Cannabis for Medical Purposes

The Cannabis for Medical Purposes: Standards for Nurse Practitioners are developed and 
approved as outlined in Section 133 of the Health Professions Act (HPA, 2000). The purpose of 
this document is to outline the expectations and accountabilities of nurse practitioners (NPs) 
when authorizing cannabis for medical purposes for clients1 . These standards apply at all 
times, regardless of role or practice setting.

The use of cannabis for medical purposes has expanded significantly in Canada. NPs assist 
clients seeking cannabis for medical purposes by providing objective, evidence-informed
information, and education to support informed decision-making.

The use of cannabis for medical purposes should not be considered a first-line therapy. 
Based on evidence, NPs should know which of their clients are more at risk of harm if they 
take cannabis, whether for medical or recreational purposes. For example, cannabis is not 
recommended for those under 25 years of age as the brain is still developing (Government 
of Canada, 2018). However, there are some medical conditions for which there is evidence for 
its use when standard therapies have failed (Allan et al., 2018, pg. 111). The use of cannabis for 
medical purposes is no different from any other therapy considered part of a client’s overall 
care and deserves the same care and attention as any other diagnostic or management 
decision (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 2021).

Many companies are opening operations in Canada since the legalization of cannabis, 
and the risk of multiple sources of information about cannabis for medical purposes could 
interfere with the provision of safe, competent, and ethical care. NPs need to assess for any 
conflict of interest related to their authorizing of cannabis for medical purposes for their 
clients