QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED EITHER MEDICAL OR RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE STATUS OF MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION BY STATE
WA MT OR ID WY NV UT CA AZ NM AK HI TX CO KS OK MO TN AR MS LA FL AL GA
Legalized recreational and medical marijuana
Legalized medical marijuana
Sources: Jeremy Berke and Skye Gould, “Michigan is the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana. This map shows every US state where pot is legal.” Business Insider, November 7, 2018.
the Salk Institute found that THC and other compounds in cannabis were able to clear Alzheimer’s-related amyloid plaque from lab-cultured neurons. However, the Alzheimer’s Association
cautions against using cannabis or any other unproven intervention for the treatment of dementia. “At this point we really do not understand
anything about the benefi ts or risks of med- ical marijuana in dementia or Alzheimer’s disease populations,” said Dr. Rebecca Edelmayer, director of scientifi c engage- ment for the Alzheimer’s Association. She notes that the group does encourage further research.
Setting community cannabis policies Deciding whether to allow cannabis use in a senior living community is a complex process. Beyond the requirement to follow state and national laws, providers must weigh their own beliefs and risk tolerance with the desires of their residents to use
36 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MAY/JUNE 2019
these products. The decision is best made under the guidance of skilled legal counsel. If a provider does decide to allow it, Lane
Powell off ers some best practices to consider: • Begin by creating a strong policy and consistent enforcement.
• Provide residents with printed copies of the community’s cannabis policy along with state-published brochures listing legal and safety guidelines.
• Know who is consuming cannabis, how and when they are using it, and where they are storing it.
• Obtain proof of current registry cards for medical marijuana, and make sure the person has a doctor’s order to use it.
• Do not allow residents to name your staff or community as their designated caregiver. Inform staff that they are not permitted to touch or help with resi- dents’ cannabis products in any way.
• Establish and communicate enforcement tools such as next steps for residents not in compliance.
“Transparency is key,” Sanchez said.
“The more transparent you are with your residents about what you allow and do not allow, the easier it’s going to be for you to enforce your policies and your rules and to limit your liability.” Her firm is developing a set of senior living policy tempates.
Approach that fi ts your residents Thrive Senior Living is following its own “Safety Third” philosophy as it drafts its marijuana policies. The company takes the approach that its residents are adults and that those with no cognitive impairments can be trusted to make their own decisions. “If it’s out and available in the world,
and they choose it, we need to be able to be prepared to make it happen for them,” said chief experience offi cer Tammy Marshall. Providers must weigh the pros and cons
of permitting cannabis use in their commu- nities and come to a decision that fi ts their company and its residents.
SC KY NE IA IL IN OH WV VA NC SD ND MN WI MI PA NY
CT NJ DE MD DC
VT ME NH
MA RI
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