Cannabis in practice

One of the major issues currently facing the veterinary community is the debate on the discussion of cannabis between veterinarians and clients. Unlike human doctors, veterinarians were not legally able to discuss the use of cannabis products with clients until very recently.

• Pet owners can purchase and use cannabis-derived products for their pet without proper guidance from a veterinarian.
• California proposed bill AB 2215 earlier this year, which requires the California Veterinary Medical Board to establish guidelines for discussion of the use of cannabis while protecting licensed veterinarians from any disciplinary action. These guidelines must be posted to their website before the first day of January 2020.
• The bill was denied at first, meaning any discussion of cannabis with a client would have led to strict disciplinary action for a licensed veterinarian in California. Examples would be denying, revoking, or suspending veterinary licenses.
• As of September 27, 2018, AB 2215 was signed by Governor Brown. This prohibits the Veterinary Medical Board from any disciplinary action regarding the discussion of cannabis use for medicinal purposes with clients. At the same time, it also prohibits veterinarians in California from dispensing related products to a patient.
  • Other states such as Colorado and Oregon have made significant progress in this area.
  • Colorado is able to legally offer advice and/or treatment and is currently conducting research on the medical effects of marijuana use in their patients.
• Oregon is able to discuss use of any cannabis-related products and services, although client consent is always needed before any unorthodox treatment is offered.
• States that have progressed in cannabis product use with clients are able to conduct more research, improving the likelihood that other states will be able to follow suit.
• If states where cannabis use is illegal see benefits from research, there is a greater likelihood that states like California would legalize this form of integrative medicine.

The original reasoning for this communication barrier was due to marijuana being classified as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs are classified as such because the knowledge at the time pointed to know known medicinal benefits and plenty of potential for abuse. Another solution to this issue is the reclassification of cannabis from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug. This will allow more research to be conducted and give more reason for California to work towards legalizing cannabis as a medicine.
If this is a topic that interests you, here is where you can go for more information!
 
For more on prior legislation: https://www.thecannabispet.com/veterinarians-discuss-cannabis/
The recent bill passing, legalizing discussion with clients: https://cvma.net/government/legislative-issues/ab-2215-kalra-medical-advice-use-of-cannabis/
For more on the science behind cannabis: https://cannacompanionusa.com/faq/cannabis-science/#ECS-2

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Authored by Nick Linzner

Nicholas Linzner grew up in Northridge, CA and has always cared deeply for animals and their interactions with the environment. He moved to San Luis Obispo, CA to complete a B.S. in Animal Science, with a minor in Equine Science in 2018. Shortly before graduating, he joined the team at RAHU in order to learn more about integrative veterinary medicine and contribute towards the growth of the company.