The Cannabis Nurses Network Recognizes Cannabis Nursing Achievements in 2023

On December 11, 2023, the Cannabis Nurses Network (CNN) announced the winners of their 2023 Cannabis Nurses of the Year Award (1). This year, 64 nurses were nominated, a record number since the awards began (1). Founded in 2015, the mission of the CNN is to provide education and opportunities to cannabis nurses worldwide, and the annual awards recognize the accomplishments of cannabis nurses and advancements in cannabis nursing throughout the year (2).

According to the CNN blog, the 2023 award categories and winners are as follows (1):

• Cannabis Nursing Team of the Year: Cannabis Nurses Network Speakers Bureau
• Cannabis Nursing Research Excellence: Nique Pichette

• Advocacy and Policy Champion: Lisa Cheatham
• Cannabis Patient Care Excellence: Caitlin Bernhard
• Cannabis Nursing Education Leader: Shakira Franklyn
• Cannabis Nurse Author of the Year: Janna Champagne
• Innovative Practice Award: Heather Shelton
• Community Engagement and Outreach: Lisa Cheatham
• Rising Star in Cannabis Nursing: Lisa Cheatham
• Collaborative Spirit Award: Lisa Cheatham
• Cannabis Nurse of the Year: Heather Manus
• Cannabis Nurse Mentor of the Year: Heather Manus
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jacy Linear

This year, the Lifetime Achievement award was renamed in honor of Nurse Jacy Denise Linear, who passed away earlier this year (1).

“As we celebrate these outstanding professionals, we are reminded of the crucial role nurses play in advancing the understanding and integration of cannabis into healthcare,” stated the CNN blog (1). “Their dedication, expertise, and compassion continue to pave the way for a future where cannabis is an integral part of patient care and wellness. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners for their exceptional achievements and for setting new standards of excellence in cannabis nursing.”

In another major milestone in cannabis nursing, in September 2023, the American Nurses Association (ANA), a national institution that represents the interests of millions of nurses, recognized cannabis nursing as an official specialty nursing practice (3).

Go in-depth on this topic in our recent interview as four nurses share their experiences and predictions for the future of cannabis nursing. These interviewees are nominees and winners for this year’s CNN awards!

References

1. Manus, H. Celebrating Excellence: The 2023 Cannabis Nurses of the Year Award Winners. Cannabis Nurses Network, 2023.
2. About cannabis nurses network https://www.cannabisnursesnetwork.com/about-cannabis-nurses-network/ (accessed Dec 11, 2023).
3. Colli, M. Historic milestone: American Nurses Association recognizes cannabis nursing as a specialized practice https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/historic-milestone-american-nurses-association-recognizes-cannabis-nursing-as-a-specialized-practice (accessed Dec 11, 2023).