Posted by Marijuana Doctors on 06/14/2018 in Pets
New York state lawmakers have a bill in the works that would include pets in the state’s medical marijuana program. Originally proposed by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, this bill could change the world of cannabis medicine as we know it. At the time of writing, it needs approval from the Senate and State Assembly Health Committees to move on to the next stage of development. Legalizing cannabis-based medication for our furry friends wouldn’t only help pets — it could help humans, too. Learn more about the bill and its implications for the future of pets and pet owners.
Amy Paulin first thought of this bill for a reason you may not expect. The opioid crisis in the United States has a far-reaching impact that affects how vets prescribe medicine. Some veterinarians can’t offer opioid painkillers to their patients due to fear of the owner using them instead. This leaves them with non-opioid medications that don’t work as effectively and cost more money. The lack of options that veterinarians and pet owners have to deal with results in limited care. Instead of getting the relief they need, pets must take medicine that doesn’t always help.
However, veterinary professionals have good reason to hold back on prescribing opiates. Opioid dependence has become such a large problem in the United States that over 115 people die each day from an overdose. With Western New York especially going through an opioid addiction epidemic, it’s no wonder that vets take so many precautions. Pets in New York need a non-opioid treatment for symptoms like pain and seizures. Medical marijuana fits the bill perfectly.
Many pet owners use hemp-based products to treat their companions’ symptoms. Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) is legal across the country, and it helps pets feel like their old selves again. CBD doesn’t have any of the psychoactive compounds that we associate with marijuana, so these pet lovers don’t have to worry about dangerous side effects. Both dogs and cats can experience relief from seizures, anxiety and pain.
However, these remedies don’t always have veterinarian approval, leaving it up to owners to guess the right dose. In some states, card-holding patients can purchase pet medicine at a dispensary while they buy medication for themselves, but dispensary staff members don’t receive training on pet treatment — not to mention that the recommending doctor probably doesn’t, either. When dosed carefully, CBD oil is completely safe for pets, but owners don’t always have veterinarian expertise to guide them. Legal cannabis-based pet medicine can help furry friends both new to and familiar with CBD get quality care.
Adding cannabis medicine to veterinarians’ repertoires could greatly improve their ability to help animals for reasons such as:
If New York legalizes this bill, we’re sure that even more improvements will appear. Holistic health options, as their name implies, create a better-rounded medical experience for all.
Even if you use hemp-based or cannabis-based treatments for your pet pal, you need to give them the medicine carefully. Animals have much smaller bodies than humans do, meaning that they react very differently to lower doses. Keep the following tips in mind when using marijuana-based pet medicine:
MarijuanaDoctors.com includes a vast database of information on all sorts of medical marijuana topics. If you want to try cannabis medicine for your animal friend, read up on the subject using these resources:
Interested in trying medicinal marijuana for yourself? Book an appointment with a cannabis-positive physician today to get an evaluation.
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