Abstract
Marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I narcotic. Research has indicated marijuana can be beneficial in treating various symptoms and certain medical disorders, resulting in legislation allowing its usage for medicinal purposes in many states. Certification privileges were initially restricted to physicians, and many questioned if nurse practitioners (NPs) should be allowed to certify medical marijuana use. Recently, multiple states granted certification privileges to NPs, including New York State. Currently, there exists a gap in the literature on the role of the NP as a provider of marijuana. Additional research in standardization, therapeutic uses, education, and side effects are lacking. This article addresses the nurse practitioner's role in medical marijuana as a form of treatment.