AJEDI Events
Save the date for the following webinars scheduled for this Spring 2026.
These are FREE events with Nursing CEUs available. All are welcome: nurses, nursing faculty, nurse leaders, nursing students, staff, and community members!!
We look forward to learning alongside you as we build our knowledge and practice in equity and justice in the healthcare field.
Warmly,
The AJEDI Committee (AntiRacism, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
Promoting Cannabis Equity: The Role of the Nurse Clinician and Citizen
March 16, 2026
Presented by Anne-Marie O'Brien, PhD, MSN, WHNP-BC
12:30-1:30 PM
Email Dr. Kaija Freborg at [email protected] for Zoom access.
Session Description: This presentation examines the past, current and future of cannabis policy at the state and federal levels with a focus on fostering equity and opportunity for historically marginalized and targeted communities. Using a both/and approach, learners will consider the benefits and harms of legalized cannabis and the role of the nurse-citizen to advocate for policies that promote both health and economic equity.
Objectives: After this session, learners will be able to:
- Understand the Potential Benefits and Harms of Legalized Cannabis for Historically Minoritized Communities.
- Identify Potential Cannabis Policies that Foster Health Equity and Economic Self-Determination for Minoritized Communities.
Speaker Bio: Anne-Marie O’Brien, PhD, MSN, WHNP-BC is an Associate Professor of Nursing at SSU and holds a Research Fellowship Appointment at Drexel University's College of Arts and Sciences Center for Public Policy. Dr. O'Brien earned her BA in French, her BSN and MSN from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in French from UCLA. Dr. O'Brien practiced as a women's health nurse practitioner for 9 years in private practice in the field of reproductive endocrinology before going on to earn a PhD in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation with a focus on gerontology from Arizona State University. Since earning her PhD, she has taught nursing students from pre-licensure to graduate-level programs and also worked as a nursing research scientist in a large Magnet®-designated health system. Over the last 30 years, she has worked for and with community organizations, academic institutions, and health systems in the belief that we can more effectively address racial and health inequities when we bring together our unique life experiences and expertise. Her clinical practice, research, and teaching have all centered on the social and ecological factors that influence a person's engagement in health promotion and shared decision-making. Dr. O'Brien is passionate about social justice and its impact on health equity, and believes nursing students and nurses play a crucial role in partnering with communities to make positive change.