Why veterinarians need legal protection to discuss cannabis and how Maryland can join four states on the vanguard of pet care
During the 2026 Maryland legislative session, companion bills titled “State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Grounds for Disciplinary Action – Restrictions” are being considered in both chambers: Senate Bill 54 (SB0054) and House Bill 452 (HB452). These bills would protect veterinarians from professional discipline solely for discussing or recommending cannabis or CBD products for therapeutic purposes in animals. If passed, Maryland would become the fifth state with specific veterinary cannabis legislation, joining California, Nevada, Michigan, and Utah in recognizing a simple truth: when veterinarians cannot have honest conversations about cannabis with pet owners, animals suffer.
While four states have already enacted veterinary cannabis protections, California stands out as the pioneer, just as it was the first state to legalize medical cannabis in 1996; it led the nation in veterinary cannabis reform, establishing a comprehensive framework that Maryland and other states should follow.
The Current Crisis: Silence is Dangerous
Picture this scenario: A loving pet owner successfully manages their chronic pain with legal cannabis products purchased from a Maryland dispensary. Seeing their dog struggle with arthritis, they assume what helped them will help their companion. They give their dog a THC-containing edible—and within hours, their pet is exhibiting severe symptoms of cannabinoid toxicity.
This isn’t a hypothetical. It’s happening across Maryland and nationwide, and current law prevents veterinarians from having the conversations that could prevent these tragedies.
The Veterinary Dilemma
According to surveys, nearly 30% of veterinarians receive weekly inquiries from clients about cannabis and CBD products for their pets. Yet in most states, including Maryland, veterinarians risk professional sanctions—including license suspension or revocation—simply for discussing these products with clients.
This creates an impossible situation. Pet owners are already using cannabis and CBD products on their animals, with or without professional guidance. A 2019 statement from Maryland’s own State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners acknowledged that “many pet owners choose to administer these products to their pets regardless of legal status or veterinary advice.”
When veterinarians cannot provide guidance, animal guardians turn to unregulated online products of questionable quality, dosing recommendations from internet forums, and human-use cannabis products that may contain dangerous levels of THC. Every day that veterinarians remain legally prohibited from discussing cannabis with animal guardians is another day that animals are at risk.
When veterinarians cannot provide guidance, pet owners turn to:
- Unregulated online products of questionable quality
- Dosing recommendations from internet forums
- Human-use cannabis products that may contain dangerous levels of THC
- Trial and error approaches that put animal health at risk
Why Dogs Are Uniquely Vulnerable
All mammals, including humans, dogs, cats, and other companion animals, possess an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating physiological processes, including pain sensation, mood, appetite, memory, and immune function. The ECS includes cannabinoid receptors (primarily CB1 and CB2), endogenous cannabinoids produced by the body, and enzymes that synthesize and break down these compounds.
CB1 receptors are predominantly found in the brain and central nervous system, where they modulate neurotransmitter release and influence everything from motor coordination to cognitive function. When THC enters the body, it binds to these CB1 receptors, producing both therapeutic effects and, at high doses, intoxication.
Here’s where the stakes become particularly high for canine patients: Dogs have a significantly higher density of CB1 receptors in their cerebellum compared to any other studied species, making them extraordinarily sensitive to THC. The cerebellum is the brain region responsible for coordinating movement and maintaining balance. This concentrated receptor density explains why dogs exhibit such distinctive and severe neurological symptoms when exposed to excessive THC.
THC Toxicity in Dogs: A Serious Concern
When dogs receive excessive THC—whether through accidental ingestion or well-intentioned but inappropriate dosing by owners—they develop a constellation of severe clinical signs known as “static ataxia”:
- Distinctive wobbling stance and difficulty maintaining balance
- Urinary incontinence
- Severe lethargy or stuporous appearance
- Heart rate abnormalities (tachycardia or bradycardia)
- Hypersalivation and hypothermia
While most dogs recover with supportive veterinary care, severe cases require hospitalization and IV fluid support. In rare instances, fatal secondary complications like aspiration pneumonia can occur when animals are too sedated to eat, drink, or protect their airways.
The critical difference: Unlike opioid receptors, there are no cannabinoid receptors in the brain’s respiratory centers. This means cannabis cannot cause fatal respiratory depression—but the secondary complications of severe intoxication can still be deadly without proper medical intervention.
The Four States Leading the Way—and Why California and Nevada Set the Standard
Currently, only four states have enacted legislation specifically protecting veterinarians in cannabis discussions:
- California (2018, 2022): The first state to address veterinary cannabis, with a comprehensive two-step approach protecting discussion and recommendation, plus a regulatory framework
- Nevada (2021): Allows veterinarians to discuss, recommend, and administer hemp/CBD products
- Michigan (2021): Allows veterinarians to consult with owners on cannabis/hemp use for animals
- Utah (2022): Prohibits discipline for discussing cannabis effects with animal owners
California: Leading the Nation Again (AB 2215 and AB 1885)
Just as California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis in 1996 with Proposition 215 (the Compassionate Use Act), California was also the first state to address veterinary cannabis reform, beginning in 2018.
California took a deliberate, two-step approach that created not just legal protection but a comprehensive regulatory structure:
AB 2215 (2018) made California the first state in the nation to protect veterinarians from discipline for discussing cannabis. The law prohibited the California Veterinary Medical Board from disciplining veterinarians solely for discussing cannabis use in animals for medicinal purposes, absent negligence or incompetence.
This groundbreaking legislation opened the door for veterinarians across California to have honest conversations with pet owners about cannabis products—a freedom that veterinarians in most other states still don’t have today.
AB 1885 (2022) expanded these protections significantly, going further by protecting veterinarians who recommend cannabis products for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.
Why California’s Leadership Matters
California’s approach has been transformative because it:
- Established the first legal framework for veterinary cannabis discussions in the nation
- Created comprehensive regulatory oversight to ensure quality and safety
- Built on California’s decades of experience with medical cannabis regulation for humans
- Set the model that other states are now following
California veterinarians can:
- Discuss cannabis and CBD products with clients
- Recommend specific products or approaches
- Provide guidance on dosing and administration
But they cannot:
- Prescribe cannabis or CBD products
- Dispense these products directly
- Administer cannabis products to animal patients (California law explicitly prohibits this)
AB 1885’s Additional Regulatory Provisions:
What makes California’s framework particularly comprehensive is its regulatory structure. This landmark legislation:
- Prohibits the board from disciplining veterinarians for recommending cannabis (unless employed by or having agreements with cannabis licensees)
- Requires the board to adopt guidelines for veterinarians to follow when recommending cannabis
- Mandates standards for cannabis products intended for animals
- Directs the state to promulgate regulations for animal product standards
These regulatory provisions go beyond simple legal protection; they establish a structured system to ensure that when veterinarians discuss cannabis with clients, they work within clear professional guidelines and that products meet quality standards.
The California Veterinary Medical Board stated in support: “By allowing veterinarians to recommend animal cannabis products for potential therapeutic purposes, AB 1885 provides a safer environment for pet owners to make well-informed decisions for their pets.”
Nevada: Building on California’s Foundation (AB 101, 2021)
Three years after California’s groundbreaking AB 2215, Nevada became the second state to protect veterinarians in cannabis discussions. In 2021, Nevada enacted AB 101, which authorized veterinarians to discuss, recommend, and administer hemp and CBD products containing no more than 0.3% THC. The law was signed after encountering no opposition and passing both chambers without a single no vote.
Nevada’s Unique Contribution
Nevada’s law differs from California’s in one important respect: it allows veterinarians to administer hemp and CBD products, not just discuss or recommend them. This is legally possible because the 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp (cannabis with 0.3% THC or less) from the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Since hemp-derived CBD is no longer a Schedule I substance under federal law, the DEA restrictions on prescribing scheduled substances don’t apply. However, these products still fall under FDA oversight as unapproved animal drugs, which is why Nevada focused specifically on products meeting the federal hemp definition.
Notably, Nevada’s law still doesn’t allow veterinarians to prescribe, dispense, or administer marijuana-derived products (those with more than 0.3% THC), as those remain Schedule I controlled substances federally.
Nevada veterinarians can:
- Discuss hemp and CBD products with animal owners
- Recommend specific hemp/CBD products for therapeutic purposes
- Administer hemp and CBD products to animal patients
- All products must contain less than 0.3% THC
But they cannot:
- Prescribe cannabis or hemp products
- Dispense products directly for profit
- Administer cannabis-derived products (>0.3% THC)
The Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners helped write the legislation, demonstrating professional support for the reform.
Understanding the Critical Distinction: Recommend vs. Prescribe
The language in these laws—”discuss” and “recommend” rather than “prescribe”—is not accidental. It mirrors the framework established for human medicine and reflects the reality of federal cannabis law.
Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, meaning the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers it to have “no currently accepted medical use” and “a high potential for abuse.” This classification makes it illegal for any medical professional—human or veterinary—to prescribe cannabis, as prescribing a Schedule I substance would violate federal controlled substances laws and could result in loss of DEA registration.
This is why human physicians in medical cannabis states don’t write prescriptions for cannabis. Instead, they provide recommendations or certifications that a patient may benefit from cannabis use. The patient then obtains cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary, but the transaction is not a traditional prescription-dispensing relationship.
California pioneered the “recommend vs. prescribe” framework with Proposition 215 in 1996 for human medicine and later applied the same proven framework to veterinary medicine with AB 2215 and AB 1885. This approach recognizes that veterinarians face identical federal constraints as human physicians. The carefully crafted legislative language protects veterinarians from state board discipline while ensuring compliance with federal law—a pragmatic solution to a complex regulatory conflict that California has been refining for nearly three decades.
Maryland’s SB0054 and HB452: Following California’s Proven Model
Maryland’s proposed companion legislation takes a carefully calibrated approach modeled on California’s comprehensive framework, drawing on the Golden State’s nearly 30 years of experience navigating the federal-state cannabis law conflict.
The Federal Law Reality
Before diving into the bills’ provisions, it’s essential to understand the federal landscape that shapes all state veterinary cannabis legislation:
- Cannabis (>0.3% THC) remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law
- Schedule I classification means the DEA considers it to have no accepted medical use and high abuse potential
- Medical professionals (including veterinarians) cannot legally prescribe Schedule I substances
- Prescribing cannabis could result in loss of DEA registration, which veterinarians need to prescribe other controlled medications
- Hemp-derived products (<0.3% THC) were removed from Schedule I by the 2018 Farm Bill, but still face FDA regulation as unapproved drugs
This federal framework is why human physicians in medical cannabis states provide recommendations or certifications rather than prescriptions. Maryland’s SB0054 and HB452 apply the same approach to veterinary medicine, following California’s successful model, which has been tested and refined since 1996.
What SB0054 and HB452 Would Do
Protect Professional Discretion (Within Federal Constraints)
- Prevent disciplinary action solely for discussing or recommending cannabis or CBD for therapeutic or health supplementation purposes
- Maintain all existing veterinary standards of care
- Keep federal-law-compliant restrictions: veterinarians still cannot prescribe, dispense, or administer cannabis products (just as human physicians cannot prescribe cannabis)
- Allow veterinarians to provide the same level of guidance that human healthcare providers give to patients in Maryland’s medical cannabis program
If SB0054/HB452 pass, Maryland veterinarians will finally be able to provide the guidance pet owners desperately need—explaining the critical difference between human-use cannabis products and appropriate CBD products for animals, warning about THC toxicity risks, and offering evidence-based recommendations on product selection and dosing. This isn’t just about legal protection for veterinarians; it’s about preventing tragedies when well-meaning Maryland pet owners unknowingly put their animals at risk.
Align with Maryland’s Cannabis Policy
The bills extend Maryland’s principles of access, harm reduction, and professional discretion—already applied to human healthcare—to veterinary medicine. Maryland has been a leader in cannabis reform, having:
- Legalized adult-use cannabis (2023)
- Expanded medical cannabis access
- Permitted home cultivation and production of cannabis products
- Reduced penalties for cannabis offenses
Address Real Animal Welfare Needs
Veterinarians need protection to:
- Explain the critical difference between human-use cannabis products (which may contain dangerous levels of THC) and appropriate CBD products for animals
- Warn owners about THC toxicity risks specific to different species
- Provide evidence-based guidance on product selection and dosing
- Monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions
- Document product use in medical records
The Education Gap: Cannabis Training Should Be Mandatory
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: while we’re working to give veterinarians legal protection to discuss cannabis, most veterinary professionals (and human healthcare providers!) have received little to no formal education on cannabinoid science, therapeutic applications, or toxicity management.
The Case for Mandatory Cannabis Education
Just as human healthcare providers increasingly need cannabis education to serve their patients, veterinarians require comprehensive training in:
- Endocannabinoid System Fundamentals
- Species-specific CB1 and CB2 receptor distribution
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in different animals
- Metabolic differences between species
- Clinical Applications and Evidence-Based
- Current research on efficacy for pain, anxiety, seizures, and inflammation
- Understanding the limitations of existing evidence
- Appropriate product selection and dosing strategies
- Safety and Toxicology
- Recognizing signs of THC toxicity across species
- Managing cannabinoid overdose and adverse reactions
- Understanding drug interactions and contraindications
- Product Quality and Regulation
- Evaluating Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
- Understanding the difference between hemp-derived and marijuana-derived products
- Identifying quality concerns in an unregulated market
- Legal and Ethical Considerations
- State-specific regulations on veterinary cannabis discussions
- Federal vs. state law conflicts
- Ethical boundaries in product recommendations
Making It Happen
Several pathways exist to integrate cannabis education into veterinary practice:
- Veterinary School Curricula: Integrate cannabinoid science into pharmacology and toxicology courses
- Continuing Education Requirements: Make cannabis-focused CE credits mandatory for license renewal, similar to requirements for opioid prescribing in human medicine
- Board Certification: Develop specialty certifications in veterinary cannabinoid medicine
- Professional Guidelines: Have state boards develop and regularly update evidence-based guidelines for cannabis discussions with clients
The American Veterinary Medical Association and state veterinary medical associations should lead the development of standardized cannabis education programs, as human healthcare professional organizations have done.
Beyond Legal Protection: A Call for Comprehensive Reform
Legal protection for veterinarians to discuss cannabis is a critical first step, but it’s not enough. California’s AB 1885 recognized this by including regulatory provisions for product standards and professional guidelines. We need a comprehensive approach that includes:
- Education Mandates: Require cannabis continuing education for all licensed veterinarians
- Product Standards: Develop and enforce quality standards for animal-intended cannabis products
- Research Investment: Fund rigorous clinical trials on cannabinoid therapeutics in veterinary medicine
- Federal Clarity: Advocate for FDA guidance on veterinary cannabis products
- Interstate Consistency: Work toward uniform standards across state lines
The Path Forward
Maryland’s SB0054 and HB452 represent an opportunity for the state to become the fifth to adopt the comprehensive California model, which has proven effective over six years of implementation.
But this is about more than one bill in one state. It’s about fundamentally changing how we approach animal healthcare in an era when cannabis and cannabinoid products are legal, widely available, and increasingly used—yet veterinarians in 46 states remain legally unable to guide their use.
What You Can Do
- Veterinary Professionals: Contact the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association and advocate for both legal protections and mandatory cannabis education
- Pet Owners: Support legislation that allows your veterinarian to provide evidence-based guidance on cannabis products. Contact your state senator, delegate, and the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
- Policymakers: Look to California’s proven, comprehensive model when crafting veterinary cannabis legislation
- Educators: Develop and offer high-quality cannabis continuing education for veterinary professionals
Conclusion: Animals Deserve Better
Every day that veterinarians in Maryland and 45 other states remain legally prohibited from discussing cannabis with pet owners is another day that animals are at risk. Well-meaning pet owners will continue sharing their own cannabis products with their pets, unaware of species-specific vulnerabilities. Unscrupulous vendors will continue marketing unregulated products with unproven claims. And animals will continue suffering from both under-treatment of legitimate medical conditions and accidental cannabinoid toxicity.
The solution is clear: legal protection for veterinary cannabis discussions, combined with mandatory education requirements for all animal healthcare providers. California—the state that pioneered medical cannabis legalization in 1996—has shown the way with the nation’s first and most comprehensive veterinary cannabis framework. Nevada, Michigan, and Utah have followed California’s lead with their own important reforms. Maryland now has the opportunity to join this growing movement and become a leader in veterinary cannabis reform by following California’s proven model.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about cannabis politics or regulatory turf battles. It’s about ensuring every pet owner can have an honest, evidence-based conversation with their veterinarian about all available options for their companion animal’s health and welfare.
Our pets deserve nothing less.
About the Author: Jacquie Cohen Roth, MS, is a cannabis policy professional with an MS in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where she serves as an adjunct professor. She is Founder/CEO of CannabizMD and The Tea Pad Foundation LTD, and VP of Education and Strategic Partnerships at CannaWorkforce, Inc. Support SB0054 and HB452: If you support protecting Maryland veterinarians and improving animal welfare through evidence-based cannabis discussions, contact your state senator and delegate to express your support for “State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Grounds for Disciplinary Action – Restrictions.”
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