By Benjie Cooper
IG: @nuglifenews
YouTube: Lucid’s Vlog
In February, California Assemblymember Ash Kalra [D] introduced AB2215, a bill to allow veterinarians to discuss medicinal cannabis use with pet owners without fear of disciplinary action from the licensing board.
The Assembly approved the bill in late May with a 60 to 10 vote, and the Senate voted 37 to 1 last week to pass it. Following the Senate’s approval of the measure, it was sent back to the Assembly where they voted 64 to 5 to pass it with the Senate’s revisions.
AB2215 would “prohibit the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) from disciplining, or denying, revoking, or suspending the license of, a licensed veterinarian solely for discussing the use of cannabis on an animal for medicinal purposes.”
Under the measure, the VMB would be required to implement guidelines for discussions between vets and pet owners by January 1, 2020.
The bill also contains outlines situations in which the VMB may deny, revoke, or suspend a license, registration, or assess a fine.
Having secured the approval of the full California legislature, AB2215 was sent to Engrossing and Enrolling staff at the Secretary of State’s office for a final accuracy verification before it goes to Governor Jerry Brown’s [D] desk for his consideration.
