The post California Vets Want To Prescribe Medical Marijuana For Pets appeared first on High Times.
Medical marijuana has become a widely accepted tool within the health community, and not just within the human sector. Studies have shown that animals, too, can benefit from the healing power of cannabis as well, and it’s now starting to become a viable option for veterinarians to utilize. While most animal doctors have yet to harness the power of cannabis, it appears California vets want to prescribe medical marijuana for pets following a first-of-its-kind study.
Pot For Pets
Jamie Peyton, a veterinarian at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, has been studying the effects of cannabis on animals over the past few months, with promising results.
The study, which included responses from 1,300 pet owners who have treated their animals with non-psychoactive oils like CBD, found that the effects of the cannabis helped treat anxiety, pain, nausea in their pets.
“This is very similar to medical cannabis usage for humans,” Peyton said.
However, unlike typical medical doctors in California, it is illegal for veterinarians to prescribe cannabis solutions for pets under state law. But this could soon change with a passing of proposed bill AB 2215, which would “protect state-licensed veterinarians from disciplinary action for discussing the use of cannabis on animal patient clients.” The proposed legislation is sponsored by the California Veterinary Medical Association.
Unsurprisingly, the bill has been mired in controversy. Opponents of the bill believe there’s too much risk involved, and a potential marijuana ‘overdose’ could be toxic to pets. Also holding back the bill is marijuana’s lingering Schedule I status, which has made it difficult to attract funding for additional studies.