Medical Marijuana for Pets

We’ve written blogs about the potential benefits of medical marijuana for humans, but what about medical marijuana for pets?

A number of pet owners have turned to the drug, which is said to have therapeutic benefits in treating chronic pain, to give their furry friends a better quality of life.

Some pet food manufacturers have even begun making cannabis-based doggy treats to help pets that experience nausea, vomiting or pain.

These actions have enraged veterinarians, who argue that giving pets marijuana is dangerous and can cause adverse health effects. But a minority of vets have begun to embrace the unorthodox treatment, with some even prescribing pets cannabis to treat ailments.

Is it Against the Law in NSW?

According to section 15 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, it is against the law to administer poisons to animals.

Some might seek to argue that giving marijuana to pets contravenes section 15, because the drug is considered to be a poison under section 8 of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1996, and might be construed by some as a ‘thing likely to kill or injure an animal.’

But to be convicted under section 15, the prosecution must additionally prove that you gave your pet marijuana with the intention of destroying, killing or injuring a domestic animal; which a responsible pet owner would never dream of doing.

Turning to drug laws, section 13 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act makes it illegal to administer a prohibited drug. However, the law clearly states that this law only applies to the administration of a drug to ‘another person’ – i.e. a human.

This leaves the issue of giving pets medical marijuana in somewhat of a legal grey area in NSW.

What About Overseas?

In Colorado, where the recreational use of cannabis by humans is perfectly legal, veterinarians are allowed to prescribe cannabis to pets.

There, cannabis dog treats have hit the shelves, with fitting names such as ‘Hemp for Hounds’ and ‘Canna Companion.’ Manufacturers claim that they can help treat arthritis and cancer, but those claims have not been backed by the Food and Drug Administration; and some animal lovers have raised concerns that a lack of testing may mean potential health hazards have not been flagged.

Some owners have also said that they give cannabis oil to pets, while others have taken to making their own cannabis-based goodies.

One Californian veterinarian, Doug Kramer, has even developed his own cannabis tincture for dogs and cats called ‘Canine Companion.’ It is used to treat pain and inflammation and is currently being sold in marijuana dispensaries around the state.

Owners who have given their pets cannabis report previously incapacitated animals being able to eat, drink, walk and play again without pain, giving quality of life during the final months of their lives.

What are the Risks?

But before you go ahead and feed Fido a cannabis cookie, it’s important to know about the risks.

Most vets around the world agree that giving pets cannabis in any form can create health risks – or even kill your pet in serious cases. In fact, statistics suggest that the third most common dog toxin treated by vets is marijuana, after chocolate and rat poison.

Some of the harmful side-effects of cannabis on pets include breathing difficulties, anxiety, lethargy, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea.

And, as discussed above, most cannabis treats have not been properly tested or trialled – meaning that pet owners are largely left in the dark when it comes to assessing the risks of giving their pets cannabis.