By Law Takes Effect
A new Maryland law that provides legal protections for veterinarians who recommend medical marijuana for animals will take effect on Thursday. The legislation was passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Wes Moore (D).
The law will make it so the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners cannot “suspend or revoke a license, reprimand or censure a licensee, or place a licensee on probation solely on the basis of the licensee discussing or recommending the use of cannabis…or a product that contains cannabidiol on an animal for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.”
The protections apply to veterinarians who discuss or recommend cannabis as well as products containing cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, for animals.
Unanimous Votes And Sponsors
Michele Guyton (D). Both bills cleared each chamber of the legislature in unanimous votes this session.
At the Senate bill’s hearing before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in February, Lam said the proposal came about from conversations he had with veterinarians.
Under the law, the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is prohibited from taking disciplinary action against a licensee solely for discussing or recommending cannabis or cannabidiol products for an animal’s potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.
Protections For Veterinary Discussions
The measure takes effect Thursday, at which point veterinarians in Maryland will be shielded from license suspension, revocation, reprimand, censure or probation based solely on those discussions or recommendations with animal owners.
The legislation was passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Wes Moore (D) earlier in the session, and its provisions will be administered by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the state body responsible for veterinary licensing.
SB 54 from Sen. Clarence Lam (D) and HB 452 from Del.
