Is the registered nurse (RN) allowed to delegate administration of marijuana products that contain more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to the nursing assistant-registered/nursing assistant-certified (NA-R/NA-C) or home care aide-certified (HCA-C) if the patient has a medical marijuana (cannabis) authorization in community-based* and in-home care settings?
No. RN delegation is not permitted. RN delegation to administer marijuana products that contain more than 0.3% THC is not permitted in community-based* and in-home care settings. In addition, it is not within the scope of practice for health care practitioners to prescribe or use any product, including topical oils or lotions, that contain more than 0.3% of THC regardless of being medical or recreational or whether the patient provides the product. RN delegation or applying cannabis oils or lotions that contain more than 0.3% THC would constitute illegally administering a Schedule I drug.
*Community-based settings include adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and residential homes for individuals with developmental disabilities (RCW 18.79.260).