Canada Legalizes Marijuana
Wednesday October 17th marks the legalization of marijuana nationwide in Canada. The bill passed in the senate by vote 29-52. Canada is the second and largest developed country to legalize the use of marijuana nationwide. Uruguay legalized recreational use of cannabis in 2013.
Legalization has left many Canadians confused as federal rules about use differ among Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, which individually determine their own legislation. The medical marijuana system, which has been legalized in Canada since 2001, will not be changing, although there is current discussion that legalization will further decrease medical marijuana costs and possibly be covered on some health plans.
Medical practitioners and the Canadian Medical Association remain skeptical about the health benefits of marijuana because it is largely untested. The president of the association remarks “Just because it is legal, doesn’t mean it is safe.”
On the other hand, many politicians believe public health campaigns of “just-say-no” to drugs have not worked. They believe this will end needless criminalization and create a sales revenue upward of $400 million per year.
New York Times
BBC
Los Angeles Times
Legal status within the United States
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classes marijuana as a Schedule I (Class I) drug beside LSD, heroin, and ecstasy. The definition of a class I drug is a drug with no currently acceptable medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Marijuana is not legalized nationwide in the United States, but is legal for recreational use in 9 states and approved in 30 states for medical use.
In 2014, Congress passed the Farm Bill, which included a provision to legalize the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp for research purposes under certain conditions. However, laws regulating the approval process for prospective pharmaceutical products and the criteria to conduct research on such products were not amended. Regulating laws, the drug’s schedule, and the Controlled Substance Act have prohibited those wishing to study the medical effects of cannabis very challenging.
In June 2018, Epidolex, the nation’s first drug derived from marijuana, was approved by the FDA for treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy in humans.
What is our role as animal health professional?
It is illegal for veterinarians to prescribe, administer, dispense, or recommend marijuana as a treatment in any state for their patients. This is because there is no FDA approved product for animal use. Despite this, some veterinarians have researched the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in dogs with osteoarthritis and epilepsy.
Dr. Stephanie McGrath, neurologist and assistant professor at Colorado State University of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, saw that many people were using medical marijuana for medicinal purposes and inquiring into the research of its use in pets. Dr. McGrath saw this was a much-needed area of research, and believes whether it helps or not, it still important to understand the research because people are giving it to their pets regardless.
Legalization has been proposed in New York and California that would allow veterinarians to legally discuss the use of these products with clients. In response to the growing questions, the AVMA through is Division of Animal and Public Health along with other agencies developed educational resources on the topic for veterinarians and clients.
Further research into these topics is needed because marijuana is toxic to pets causing hospitalization and deaths. A better understanding of how these drugs works, toxic levels, side effects, and efficacy are needed to better inform our clients.
Header image from GoToVan on Flickr
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Gus Brihn
Gus completed his undergraduate degree at the U of M in Global Studies, and has spent much of his time abroad, including time in France and Namibia. Gus became interested in emergency medicine from becoming a Wilderness First Responder and NR-EMT. He completed his veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Gus is interested in zoonotic disease outbreak investigation, prevention, and epidemiology. Outside of work, Gus enjoys rock climbing and doing Brazilian Jiu jitsu. He has an 11 year-old Staffordshire terrier mix breed dog named Sweet Pea.