Medical marijuana is now available to use in 23 states to ease pain for cancer patients suffering from pain, but now even pets use weed for treatment.
Cannabis, contained in capsules and treats, is now used as treatment for aging or sick dogs, according to Time.
As for human consumption, medical marijuana is known to ease pain due to chronic pain and side effects brought by cancer treatments, seizures and glaucoma. However, when used in animals, there are no concrete findings that cannabis does really treat illnesses.
USA Today noted that in Colorado, where adults are permitted to buy and use marijuana, veterinarians are allowed to prescribe medical marijuana for animal use.
Dr. Tim Hackett, a professor of veterinary emergency medicine at Colorado, said some pet owners believe that medical marijuana could also be given to their sick pets, according to USA Today. But Hackett is not convinced of the capability of cannabis as treatment for pets as more studies on it, like research into marijuana poisoning, need to be discussed.
Citing a survey of U.S. veterinarians conducted by Pets Best Pet Insurance, marijuana is the third-most common toxin that affects dogs, next to chocolate and rat poison, according to USA Today.
The insurance company's president Chris Middleton said the survey should give pet owners pause before giving this so-called medical marijuana to their pets.
Cannabis for animals is contained in hemp treats, and unlike pharmaceuticals, these products are not regulated, which could mean they are not clinically tested for potential side effects. Still, these pet products are sold the same way as traditional supplements for pets.
"These products show potential, but there's not a lot of research at this point," said Tina Wismer of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, according to Health. "No one is even sure what the correct therapeutic dosage is. For example, in the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section on one of the websites, a customer asks, 'How much should I give my pet?' And they answer - I'm paraphrasing here: 'Whatever you think would help.' Well, that's extremely vague."
