The Role of Nurses in The Rehabilitation of Cannabis Users

Abstract

Cannabis has become a significant public health concern in Thai society following policy         changes that legalized its use for specific purposes, particularly in medical and industrial applications. However, the misuse of cannabis, especially among adolescents and working-age populations, remains a persistent problem. Such misuse can lead to adverse effects on physical and mental health, daily       functioning and social relationships, potentially resulting in long-term psychiatric complications.

Rehabilitation for individuals with cannabis use disorders is essential and requires systematic                 implementation through coordinated efforts among multidisciplinary teams including physicians, nurses, psychologists, government agencies, families and communities. Nurses play a particularly crucial role as frontline healthcare providers with responsibilities that encompass assessment, care planning, ongoing monitoring and education for both patients and the general public, aimed at preventing relapse and supporting long-term recovery.

While rehabilitation effectively reduces the adverse health and social impacts of cannabis use, several challenges persist, including discontinuous treatment access, social stigma and inadequate        policy support. Consequently, nurses must adopt a comprehensive and sustained approach to tertiary prevention to ensure long-term effectiveness. Given the continuous increase in cannabis users, nurses should expand their roles to encompass surveillance, prevention and mental health promotion,         incorporating primary and secondary prevention strategies to address the current situation effectively and sustainably.