Press Release - Minnesota Nurses Welcome Cannabis Compromise to Help Thousands of Patients Minnesota Nurses Welcome Cannabis Compromise to Help Thousands of Patients Nurses continue to push for solution to help chronic conditions in future



Contact: Jan Rabbers

(office) 651-414-2861

(cell) 612-860-6658

jan.rabbers@mnnurses.org



Rick Fuentes

(office) 651-414-2863

(cell) 612-741-0662

rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJan Rabbers(office) 651-414-2861(cell) 612-860-6658Rick Fuentes(office) 651-414-2863(cell) 612-741-0662





(St. Paul) – May 15, 2014 – Minnesota Nurses support the hard work by the Governor, lawmakers, and patient advocates to help thousands of Minnesotans who suffer from debilitating conditions. The compromise that was agreed to by Senate and House sponsors as well as the Governor's office will allow the terminally sick and dying to improve their conditions and their quality of life.



"Nurses care for all patients, including those we never see" said Charlotte Zabawa, RN, "and we can't ignore the medical and scientific evidence that shows that medical cannabis can bring them comfort and relief to their terrible conditions."



The compromise will allow a Minnesota-licensed healthcare practitioner, including an Advanced Practice Nurse to certify a patient for treatment. The patient will be able to enter a registry that will allow them to receive medical cannabis from one of 8 state facilities.



"This compromise will help patients with cancer, chronic pain, ALS, and seizures to improve the quality of their lives," Zabawa said. "There are thousands more patients who also need treatment. Lawmakers must re-visit this program and improve it going forward."



The union of 20,000 Registered Nurses thanks lawmakers who came together to hear the plight of patients and their families who hoped to benefit from medical cannabis in Minnesota. Minnesota Nurses will continue to advocate for a solution that helps patients with other chronic conditions and support the state task force to assess medical cannabis therapeutic research and its impact to patients in the state. (St. Paul) – May 15, 2014 – Minnesota Nurses support the hard work by the Governor, lawmakers, and patient advocates to help thousands of Minnesotans who suffer from debilitating conditions. The compromise that was agreed to by Senate and House sponsors as well as the Governor's office will allow the terminally sick and dying to improve their conditions and their quality of life."Nurses care for all patients, including those we never see" said Charlotte Zabawa, RN, "and we can't ignore the medical and scientific evidence that shows that medical cannabis can bring them comfort and relief to their terrible conditions."The compromise will allow a Minnesota-licensed healthcare practitioner, including an Advanced Practice Nurse to certify a patient for treatment. The patient will be able to enter a registry that will allow them to receive medical cannabis from one of 8 state facilities."This compromise will help patients with cancer, chronic pain, ALS, and seizures to improve the quality of their lives," Zabawa said. "There are thousands more patients who also need treatment. Lawmakers must re-visit this program and improve it going forward."The union of 20,000 Registered Nurses thanks lawmakers who came together to hear the plight of patients and their families who hoped to benefit from medical cannabis in Minnesota. Minnesota Nurses will continue to advocate for a solution that helps patients with other chronic conditions and support the state task force to assess medical cannabis therapeutic research and its impact to patients in the state. ###

About MNA: With more than 20,000 members in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, MNA is the leading organization for registered nurses in the Midwest and is among the oldest and largest representatives of RNs for collective bargaining in the nation. Established in 1905, MNA is a multi-purpose organization that fosters high standards for nursing education and practice, and works to advance the profession through legislative activity. MNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United. About NNU: National Nurses United, with close to 185,000 members in every state, is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history. NNU was founded in 2009 unifying three of the most active, progressive organizations in the U.S.—and the major voices of unionized nurses—in the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses, and Massachusetts Nurses Association. NNU was founded in 2009 unifying three of the most active, progressive organizations in the U.S.—and the major voices of unionized nurses—in the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, United American Nurses, and Massachusetts Nurses Association.

