By Heather Wilkinson, Co-Owner of The Cannabis Nurses + Co
The irony of this segment; it’s written by the co-owner of a holistic cannabis nursing practice, who is NOT an actual nurse herself.
It is, however, written by someone who has shared many years of career spaces with nurses on multidisciplinary teams. By someone who has experienced the exceptional care and selfless compassion of nurses while admitted to a hospital in some of the worst moments of her life. By someone who now has the honor and privilege of being surrounded by incredible nurses within The Cannabis Nurses + Co practice.
Heather
Why Nurses? Because They Know the Human Side of Healing.
Nurses have always been at the intersection of medical science and compassion. They are the ones holding hands at hospital bedsides, educating families in crisis, and navigating a healthcare system that—let’s be honest—isn’t always built with the patient in mind. When it comes to cannabis, we’re seeing the same disconnect: outdated policies, STIGMA, and a lack of education that leaves patients without access to a plant that could tremendously change their lives.
But here’s the thing: Our nurses know better. They are the ones that are passionate enough about making a difference to go above and beyond policies and to establish true human connection with their patients. They are the ones that spend the extra time to hold space. To educate. To advocate. To empower. To truly make a difference. And this is where change starts to occur.
Shaping Policy, One Patient at a Time
Advocacy doesn’t always start in boardrooms or at government hearings. Sometimes, it starts in quiet conversations—like when a patient subtly whispers, "I heard cannabis might help with my pain, but my doctor won’t talk about it."
This is where our nurses step in. They help patients make informed choices by providing evidence-informed, non-biased education that is tailored to the individual. And when they see barriers to access? They don’t just accept them—they challenge them:
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They push for collaboration with their patients’ other health care professionals (and offer opportunities to educate and reduce bias if and when necessary).
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They provide evidence-based and individualized cannabis regime suggestions that reflect the latest research, not outdated fear tactics.
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They advocate for safe, legal, and affordable access because no one should have to choose between their health, the law, or their finances.
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They normalize the conversation so patients no longer feel shame and, in fact, feel unapologetic in consuming plant-based medicine.
Expanding Access: The Nurse-Led Movement
Across the country, The Cannabis Nurses + Co is stepping up—becoming educators, policy advisors, community networkers, and even change-makers. We’re hosting workshops, consulting with lawmakers and enforcers, and ensuring that cannabis education is no longer passed over—or even completely ignored. Because here’s the truth: Education isn’t optional; it’s ethical. A newly-diagnosed diabetic patient would not be given a monthly allotment of insulin and told to “go try it out”, so WHY are we not holding the same standards for our medical cannabis patients. Cannabis is an incredibly complex and individualistic medicine; everyone should have the right to access the same standard of education to safely and effectively navigate the intricacies of this plant.
We’re not just witnessing history, we’re rewriting it.
The Call to Action: Courage Over Comfort
So if you’re a nurse, a wellness advocate, or simply anyone who believes in patient rights, this is your invitation: Get involved. Speak up. Keep learning. Because change doesn’t happen when we wait for permission—it happens when we decide that patient care matters more than outdated policies.
And that? That’s what being a TCN + Co nurse is all about.