Of course, part of the problem has been that most vets haven’t learned anything about the effect of cannabis on animals as part of their formal training. That makes it challenging for them to advise, and it puts them in a tight spot when they’re asked how cannabis oils or treats might affect someone’s beloved pet. No vet wants to give the wrong advice and inadvertently cause harm. But as more and more people use CBD for their pets, and more and more studies on the matter are conducted, the amount of information available to people has begun to grow. And it’s not just pet owners who are studying up. Vets are doing the research too, and a lot of them are ready to weigh in.
Now Rhode Island may be joining Michigan in allowing its veterinarians to offer CBD—with an added detail that’s all their own.
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Veterinarians May Soon be Able to Certify Animals for Cannabis
A new bill introduced in Rhode Island would allow veterinarians to certify pets for cannabis use for medical reasons—basically, the animal equivalent of getting a medical cannabis card. This is a new idea. No other state so far has asked pets to be individually certified for cannabis use. It does make sense as a step for Rhode Island specifically. Our nation’s smallest state has yet to legalize recreational cannabis, so human users must have a medical cannabis card. Rhode Island is simply suggesting holding animals to the same standard.
How can an animal get their cannabis certification? Under the bill, which is still pending, the certification could be offered in the case of “any condition suffered by a domestic pet that would be a ‘debilitating medical condition’ if it were suffered by a person.” There’s a fair amount of room for interpretation in that, but we can assume that veterinarians would use the bill to certify animals with such conditions as epilepsy, chronic pain, severe anxiety, and more for cannabis treatments.
Implications for the Future
If Rhode Island’s bill passes, it will become the first state to offer cannabis certifications to animals. Michigan officially permits vets to only discuss cannabis treatment for pets. California is close, with a bill like Michigan’s that allows vets to only discuss—but not certify—cannabis treatments without repercussions. New York has introduced a certification bill similar to the one being considered by Rhode Island, but that bill did not pass.
So will Rhode Island make history by becoming the first to pass legislation allowing its pets to get their medical cannabis certifications? We’re used to groundbreaking cannabis news coming from the west coast, from Colorado and Washington, and Oregon and California. But now the little state of Rhode Island has the opportunity to make a statement that will—hopefully—start the ball rolling for vets and their animal patients nationwide. We’ve got our fingers crossed that Rhode Island legislators will get the ball across the finish line.
Kat Helgeson comes from a ten year career in social media marketing and content creation. She takes pride in her ability to communicate the culture and values of an organization via the written word. Kat is also the author of numerous books for young adults. Her titles have received the Junior Library Guild Award, the Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year Distinction, and been featured on the Illinois Reads selection list. Her work has been translated into Dutch and German.
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The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.