You can give CBD to pets, but what about THC and other cannabinoids?

With all of the widespread and sometimes conflicting medical news surrounding the use of cannabis for pets, it’s important to have a trusted source of information. Luckily we have one now.

A website that doubles as an educational portal has been launched by the Veterinary Cannabis Society (VCS) for veterinarians as well as pet owners and cannabis businesses. This follows years of skyrocketing popularity of using cannabidiol for pets, as it has shown promise in treating many ailments naturally, from cancer and anxiety to arthritis and old age. Despite this, there are still many questionable claims, uses, and products.

Photo by Anthony de Kroon via Unsplash

This is especially difficult in certain states where veterinarians are not even allowed to discuss CBD use with pet owners. “Vets today have a hard time talking to pet owners about cannabis, either because they lack the knowledge or because they want to avoid potential legal ramifications,” explains Dr. Trina Hazzah, President and Co-Founder of VCS. “No veterinarian should have to risk their license or their livelihood just trying to do what’s right for their patient.”

Additionally, VCS says that 68% of veterinarians don’t give pet owners advice about cannabis use simply because they don’t have the knowledge to do so. This is also why the VCS was created in the first place – to close the education gap when it comes to the proper use of cannabis for sick animals. Members of the VCS can now access general information about its use while taking advantage of the many educational resources available, including reviewed articles, podcasts, a research library, presentations and videos.

“What we aspire to is an educated and empowered global veterinary cannabis community,” says Dr. Hazzah, whose interest in medicinal cannabis grew while researching integrative approaches for pets with cancer. The VCS also works with organisations, political parties and certain states to ensure that appropriate legislation can take place for the veterinary use of medical cannabis. They are also committed to establishing a standard for the quality of products.

Important necessity for our furry friends

It’s only natural to want the best for our dogs and cats, and the use of cannabidiol has shown more than promise. In fact, CBD could very well be the treatment we’ve all been looking for to prolong the lives of our pets and breathe life into their years.

“Dogs actually have a higher concentration of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans do,” says Steve Sakala, co-founder of Mana Artisan Botanics. “This makes dogs more receptive to the benefits of CBD.”

RELATED: CBD oil for dogs: As its popularity increases, so do the scams

“In general, older pets, just like older people, seem to have a slightly more noticeable result from using CBD. The higher energy levels in older pets when given CBD is quite pronounced,” he explains.

Photo by Honest Paws via Unsplash

Just don’t give THC to your pets.

Animals are sensitive to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. Its dangers are widespread. “If you ask any of our vets in the ER, they would all say that since medical and then recreational marijuana was legalized for humans, the number of dogs poisoned by cannabis has skyrocketed,” Karl Jandrey, professor of veterinary science at UC Davis, he told the Los Angeles Times.

Dogs catching cannabis intoxication from people who accidentally leave edibles around their home or pick them up off the streets, in parks, or on beaches in recreation states are becoming more common. However, many people are unaware of the effects THC can have on pets, which is why we desperately need an educational resource like the one the VCS has brought to market.

RELATED: More and more dogs are getting accidentally stoned as marijuana goes mainstream

Nevada is at the forefront of the industry. In June, they became the first state to authorize veterinarians to recommend and administer CBD, thanks to a new law that protects veterinarians from legal action if they decide to treat their pet patients with CBD. The law went into effect on October 1.

Photo by Corinne Kutz via Unsplash

Steve Yeager, an Assembly member who sponsored the bill, said it clarified veterinary rules for using CBD. In addition, they can also talk to pet owners and consult with them on usage and dosage, and even administer the drug directly to pets. “They can do all of this without worrying about being disciplined by their board of directors, which was really the main concern behind the bill,” Yeager says. Meanwhile, in Michigan and California, veterinarians are only allowed to advise on cannabis use but are not allowed to administer it to their pets.

RELATED: Michigan now allows vets to discuss CBD treatment with pet owners

With the widespread use of cannabis in more than 40 states for medicinal purposes and 20 states for recreational purposes, there are still no guidelines for the appropriate use of CBD for pets, even with a thriving market as entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to develop products for pets developing pets.

“I think we fast-forward six years and the state’s landscape is really different,” says Yeager. “I think there’s a level of comfort in the cannabis industry with CBD that just wasn’t there in 2015.”

We anticipate that the pet cannabis industry will continue to thrive and hope that more veterinarians and pet owners will be given the knowledge and guidance they need to medicate their cats and dogs safely and with confidence.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.