Pet Medical Cannabis Bill Introduced in Rhode Island

Lawmakers in Rhode Island introduced a bill that would allow pets to use medical cannabis if certified by a licensed veterinarian. House Bill 5504or the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, was introduced by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on February 10 and was subsequently referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee.

NBC 10 Rhode Island News report This is the second time the bill has been submitted.of Rhode Island Veterinary Association (RIVMA) Did Not Support 2021 BillLawmakers Patricia Serpa and Charlene Lima, along with lawmakers Julie Casimiro and Deborah Ferrera, are sponsoring the bill. increase.

“We need to see if this dialogue is beneficial.” Said Lima. “Maybe not. Studies show that THC can be very deadly to animals.” Given that it’s rarely a good idea.

Lawmakers acknowledged that more research is needed to better understand how cannabis affects pets. said. “More research has been done than last year when it was first introduced.”

But some veterinarians believe the bill will unlock Pandora’s box problems, given the lack of solid evidence that cannabis is safe for pets.

“If this bill is passed, it will be a huge problem for pets in Rhode Island,” said Dr. Sherry Pancoast, emergency veterinarian and president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Association.

Pancoast reminded the media that when ingested, THC is considered toxic to pets and has very different effects.

“They show some pretty serious neurological signs and sometimes look dead or even comatose,” Pancoast explained.

Dr. Ralph Pratt of RIVMA’s Board of Directors said: Comparison of cannabis and acetaminophen (2021), perfectly safe for humans, but dangerous for pets.

For years, people have been treating their pets with medical cannabis (mostly CBD) products, and there are anecdotal reports of success in treating everything from seizures to stress.

CBD, not THC for pets in most cases

The general consensus is that pet owners should not give their pets THC.

Allowing medical cannabis for pets is a relatively new concept. Only a handful of states offer some form of protection.

Only California currently gives veterinarians an escape pass from prison, specifically allowing them to discuss medical cannabis without fear of repercussions. Congressional Bill 2215 was passed and signed into law in late 2018, paving the way for Senate Bill 627. Enabling veterinarians to discuss medical cannabis treatment with pet ownersThis will prevent state veterinary medical commissions from taking special enforcement action against vets who endorse cannabis products such as CBD oil.

What counts as cruelty when it comes to pets and cannabis? Most organizations, such as the Anti-Cruelty Society, seem to allow CBD, but THC breaks down in animals in a very different way. “The CBD in cannabis pet supplements is typically found in a variety of very low concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana.” It is sourced from hemp, a cannabis plant.As a result, CBD appears to be non-psychoactive and safe to use on pets.” I have written.

More states may follow California and Rhode Island’s path of protecting veterinarians.