In addition to the obvious recreational appeal of marijuana, countless people around the world regularly take advantage of cannabis’ diverse range of medicinal properties, though not all of those who use it reside in legal states or countries.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has traditionally been the cannabinoid that’s caused the most controversy, primarily due to its often-exaggerated psychoactivity. But THC’s medicinal benefits have been known about for a long time, though perhaps not understood to the extent that they are in 2018.
Due to its healing and neuroprotective properties, cannabidiol (CBD) has come to share the spotlight with its more recreational partner THC in recent years. The cannabinoid’s powerful medicinal traits combined with its lack of psychoactivity make it a safe and effective everyday medicine for people living with bodily injuries and neurological disorders.
And while cannabis provides relief for so many of the conditions that regularly affect people, there is an increasing awareness that pets can experience benefits from medical marijuana as well.
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system which allows humans, dogs, cats, and others to process phytocannabinoids like CBD which have been shown to hold the same benefits for pets as they do for their human owners.
CBD-infused water, dog biscuits, and cat treats are just a few of the products that are readily available for purchase online to treat pets’ seizures, anxiety, stress, and bodily injuries.
But throughout the various states in the U.S. where recreational or medicinal cannabis laws have been established, the legislation that is in place deals strictly with people.
Measures such as California’s Prop 215 and others were written with the protection of human medicinal cannabis patients in mind, and the laws offer no safeguards for animals or those who treat them.
For a pet that is injured, veterinarians commonly prescribe opioids which carry the same adverse side effects and risks for animals as they do for humans. Any vets who might wish to recommend cannabis as a safer alternative pet medicine are not currently protected.
But that looks to be changing in 2018.
CA Assemblymember Ash Kalra
On February 12, California Assemblymember Ash Kalra [D] introduced AB 2215 to put protections in place for veterinarians who wish to discuss responsible animal patient medicinal cannabis use with pet owners. The California Veterinary Medical Association is sponsoring the bill.
The bill states; “It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to require the Veterinary Medical Board to establish guidelines for licensed veterinarians to discuss the use of cannabis on animal patient clients.” The measure also declares legislator intent to “enact legislation to protect state-licensed veterinarians from disciplinary action for discussing the use of cannabis on animal patient clients.”
But even though the bill’s passage could mean relief for pets, it is facing some early resistance. Some opponents of the measure are concerned about possible health risks for the animals such as accidental overdoses, while others cite cannabis’ Schedule I status which can make conducting official safety studies difficult.
While cannabis ingestion is rarely fatal, dogs are particularly sensitive to THC intoxication due to the high concentration of CB1 endocannabinoid receptors in various areas of their brains. Cats appear to be less susceptible to negative effects from the plant.
On February 28, the California Veterinary Medical Board declined to support AB 2215 in a 4-2 vote. Councilman Kalra will be working to lock down the fifth vote that is required to obtain the board’s endorsement of the bill.
NV Assemblymember Richard “Tick” Segerblom
But California isn’t the only state that is looking to allow vets to talk about CBD with their clients, Nevada Senator Richard “Tick” Segerblom [D] introduced a new omnibus bill that would, among other things, change the state’s medical marijuana laws to also include pets.
SB 372 would allow veterinarians in the state of Nevada to issue medical cannabis cards to resident pet owners if they feel that marijuana would be the best treatment for the animal. Other changes in the bill include allowing more dispensaries in the state, exempting cannabis from workplace drug testing, and excluding marijuana use as the sole reason to arrest a driver.
In addition to the measures in the two west coast states, New York is also considering legislation to allow veterinarians to recommend cannabis as an alternative treatment option for pets.
NY Assemblymember Amy Paulin
On Thursday, March 15, New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin [D] introduced AB 10104 which would amend public health law to grant medical cannabis access to animal patients in the state.
The proposed legislation would permit a veterinarian to recommend cannabis for “any medical condition that may benefit from treatment with medical marihuana as determined by a veterinarian licensed pursuant to article one hundred thirty-five of the education law.”
Governor Cuomo has been somewhat reserved about expanding the state’s current medicinal cannabis laws, though he approved funding in January for a study regarding the feasibility of legalizing marijuana in New York.
These first three bills aimed at allowing veterinarians to recommend medical cannabis for pets will only be the beginning. As legalization spreads and our understanding of the benefits of the cannabis plant grows, we can expect to see similar measures introduced in more states over time.
Because humanity’s most-beloved non-human companions deserve the best care that we can give them.
