CBD and Pets

More Questions Than Answers

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If marijuana or CBD is helpful for some people, can it help my pet too?

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis Sativa, is a plant which contains as many as 113 compounds. In the cannabis plant, both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) can be found to varying degrees. THC is considered a psychoactive substance, which means that it is a chemical that changes how the brain functions. It can consequently cause alterations in perception, mood, consciousness or behavior. Lately, CBD has been getting more and more attention for its potential therapeutic and pain management effects.

The Legal Perspective

Even in states where medical marijuana is legal for people, it is not legal for pets. CBD is regulated by the FDA and currently, there are no FDA-approved CBD products available for pets. However, in 2018, hemp, a cannabis plant that naturally has less than 0.3% THC, was taken off the federal controlled substances list. Since then, many companies have begun marketing “ hemp-based products” for pets to skirt the current legal status of marijuana and CBD for pets. It’s important to note that since these products are not FDA approved, they do not undergo the same quality control measures as medications do, which could potentially prove to be problematic.