Cannabis Care in Psychiatry
Kathleen Marie Pinto Araya
Clinical Integration and Specialty Practice in Cannabis Nursing June 5, 2026 DOI: 10.4018/979-8-2600-2035-7.ch003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The authors argue that while cannabidiol (CBD) may offer anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and anticonvulsant benefits, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is linked to psychosis, cognitive impairment, and mood instability, and that research from 2021–2025 shows mixed outcomes for psychiatric conditions. They contend that Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners need cannabis literacy, including understanding the endocannabinoid system, pharmacokinetic variability, and drug interactions, to provide individualized, ethically sound care amid evolving legal and regulatory landscapes. |
Abstract
Cannabis use is increasing across the United States, creating clinical, ethical, and educational challenges for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). The evolving legal landscape, including the 2025 federal directive to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, expands research opportunities while maintaining regulatory complexity. Evidence shows cannabidiol (CBD) may provide anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and anticonvulsant benefits, whereas tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is linked to psychosis, cognitive impairment, and mood instability. Understanding the endocannabinoid system, pharmacokinetic variability, and drug interactions is essential for safe practice. Research from 2021–2025 reveals mixed outcomes for psychiatric conditions, emphasizing the need for individualized risk–benefit assessment. Ethical considerations include patient autonomy, harm-reduction counseling, and navigating conflicting state and federal laws. Cannabis literacy is increasingly necessary for PMHNPs to deliver informed, evidence-based, and ethically sound care.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |