The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking input from veterinary professionals on cannabis and cannabis-derived products for animals. And it’s a great opportunity for vets to help shape future regulations.
According to the AVMA, the FDA is gathering information to better understand current use patterns, observed clinical outcomes, potential benefits, and safety concerns in veterinary settings. Vets with relevant experience or insights are encouraged to submit comments through the FDA's formal feedback process.
This request comes at a time when interest in cannabis-derived therapies is growing among pet owners, yet vets often find themselves navigating unclear regulatory waters.
The FDA's information-gathering initiative suggests regulatory frameworks may be evolving to address the increasing presence of these products in veterinary care.
As veterinary professionals consider providing feedback to the FDA, it's valuable to understand the current state of research and regulations surrounding cannabis in veterinary medicine.
What does the current research on therapeutic applications say?
The therapeutic potential of cannabis-derived compounds in veterinary medicine (as always) isn’t as well defined as its human counterpart. But several key studies do provide some evidence for specific applications.
According to research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), CBD administration as an adjunct therapy showed promise for dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. The randomized blinded controlled clinical trial showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency in the CBD treatment group compared to the placebo group, though 2 of the 12 dogs in the CBD group developed ataxia - which may or may not have been related to the treatment or the preexisting epilepsy.
For pain management applications, a study published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science examined CBD treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. The researchers found that "2 mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis," with no observable side effects reported by owners.
Safety profiles continue to be investigated further in Frontiers of Veterinary Science, with findings published on escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy dogs. The preliminary investigation found "hemp-derived CBD appears to be relatively safe in healthy adult dogs," though the researchers emphasized the need for continued investigation into long-term effects and therapeutic dosing guidelines.
A survey study in Frontiers of Veterinary Science revealed that while many veterinarians have clients inquiring about cannabis products, significant knowledge gaps remain among practitioners. This is why the FDA's current information-gathering initiative is important.
When administering cannabis-derived medications requiring precise dosing, modern infusion pump technology can offer significant advantages in maintaining appropriate blood levels while minimizing potential side effects. This is particularly relevant for clinical trials and specialized therapeutic applications where exact dosing is critical - although significant research is needed to make progress in this area.
What does the current research on therapeutic applications say?
The therapeutic potential of cannabis-derived compounds in veterinary medicine (as always) isn’t as well defined as its human counterpart. But several key studies do provide some evidence for specific applications.
According to research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), CBD administration as an adjunct therapy showed promise for dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. The randomized blinded controlled clinical trial showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency in the CBD treatment group compared to the placebo group, though 2 of the 12 dogs in the CBD group developed ataxia - which may or may not have been related to the treatment or the preexisting epilepsy.
For pain management applications, a study published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science examined CBD treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. The researchers found that "2 mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with osteoarthritis," with no observable side effects reported by owners.
Safety profiles continue to be investigated further in Frontiers of Veterinary Science, with findings published on escalating cannabinoid doses in healthy dogs. The preliminary investigation found "hemp-derived CBD appears to be relatively safe in healthy adult dogs," though the researchers emphasized the need for continued investigation into long-term effects and therapeutic dosing guidelines.
A survey study in Frontiers of Veterinary Science revealed that while many veterinarians have clients inquiring about cannabis products, significant knowledge gaps remain among practitioners. This is why the FDA's current information-gathering initiative is important.
When administering cannabis-derived medications requiring precise dosing, modern infusion pump technology can offer significant advantages in maintaining appropriate blood levels while minimizing potential side effects. This is particularly relevant for clinical trials and specialized therapeutic applications where exact dosing is critical - although significant research is needed to make progress in this area.
What’s the current regulatory status for vets?
The regulatory landscape surrounding cannabis products in veterinary medicine is tricky and complicated. There’s a lot for practitioners to think about today.
The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine's Guidance for Industry #256 on Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances provides important context for vets considering compounded cannabis-derived formulations.
The guidance outlines the FDA's current thinking on when it might exercise enforcement discretion for compounded products, which may include certain cannabis-derived compounds under specific circumstances.
For cannabis compounds to potentially qualify under FDA enforcement discretion, they must meet these criteria:
1. Practitioner supervision
The product must be compounded by or under direct supervision of a veterinarian
2. Individual patient need
Compounding must be for an individual patient after examination and determination of clinical need
3. No approved alternatives
There must be no FDA-approved, conditionally approved, or indexed drug that can treat the condition as labeled
4. Not a commercial copy
The product cannot be a copy of a commercially available drug
5. Regulatory compliance
Compounding must comply with applicable state pharmacy regulations
6. Prescription requirement
The product must be dispensed after receipt of a valid veterinary prescription
Additionally, cannabis compounds face these specific considerations:
Hemp-derived compounds with ≤0.3% THC (per the 2018 Farm Bill) have a different legal status than those with higher THC content.
Compounds containing >0.3% THC remain Schedule I controlled substances under DEA regulations.
No cannabis-derived compounds are currently FDA-approved for animal use.
According to the AVMA's Cannabis Resource Page, veterinarians should be aware that "state laws legalizing cannabis products for human medical or recreational use do not generally extend to veterinary practice." This creates significant variability in what veterinarians can legally discuss, recommend, or prescribe depending on the local jurisdiction.
The DEA's Controlled Substances Act scheduling continues to classify cannabis with THC content above 0.3% as a Schedule I controlled substance, creating federal restrictions regardless of state-level cannabis laws. CBD derived from hemp meeting Farm Bill requirements falls outside this classification, which is why it is more widely available in animal products.
What’s the current regulatory status for vets?
The regulatory landscape surrounding cannabis products in veterinary medicine is tricky and complicated. There’s a lot for practitioners to think about today.
The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine's Guidance for Industry #256 on Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances provides important context for vets considering compounded cannabis-derived formulations.
The guidance outlines the FDA's current thinking on when it might exercise enforcement discretion for compounded products, which may include certain cannabis-derived compounds under specific circumstances.
For cannabis compounds to potentially qualify under FDA enforcement discretion, they must meet these criteria:
1. Practitioner supervision
The product must be compounded by or under direct supervision of a veterinarian
2. Individual patient need
Compounding must be for an individual patient after examination and determination of clinical need
3. No approved alternatives
There must be no FDA-approved, conditionally approved, or indexed drug that can treat the condition as labeled
4. Not a commercial copy
The product cannot be a copy of a commercially available drug
5. Regulatory compliance
Compounding must comply with applicable state pharmacy regulations
6. Prescription requirement
The product must be dispensed after receipt of a valid veterinary prescription
Additionally, cannabis compounds face these specific considerations:
Hemp-derived compounds with ≤0.3% THC (per the 2018 Farm Bill) have a different legal status than those with higher THC content.
Compounds containing >0.3% THC remain Schedule I controlled substances under DEA regulations.
No cannabis-derived compounds are currently FDA-approved for animal use.
According to the AVMA's Cannabis Resource Page, veterinarians should be aware that "state laws legalizing cannabis products for human medical or recreational use do not generally extend to veterinary practice." This creates significant variability in what veterinarians can legally discuss, recommend, or prescribe depending on the local jurisdiction.
The DEA's Controlled Substances Act scheduling continues to classify cannabis with THC content above 0.3% as a Schedule I controlled substance, creating federal restrictions regardless of state-level cannabis laws. CBD derived from hemp meeting Farm Bill requirements falls outside this classification, which is why it is more widely available in animal products.
If you administer any cannabis-derived treatments, you need to keep very clear medical records
Based on the guidelines referenced above, those records should include…
Clinical justification for treatment
Informed client consent discussions
Product sourcing information
Monitoring protocols
Observed outcomes and adverse events
As the regulatory environment evolves, vets should document, document, document.
Particularly when using veterinary syringe pumps that can provide precise dose control and monitoring.
If you administer any cannabis-derived treatments, you need to keep very clear medical records
Based on the guidelines referenced above, those records should include…
Clinical justification for treatment
Informed client consent discussions
Product sourcing information
Monitoring protocols
Observed outcomes and adverse events
As the regulatory environment evolves, vets should document, document, document.
Particularly when using veterinary syringe pumps that can provide precise dose control and monitoring.
So where does that leave you?
We identified 4 key takeaways from this information, which may be useful to you and your colleagues.
1. Research on cannabis-derived compounds shows preliminary promise for specific conditions like epilepsy and osteoarthritis pain in dogs, though more studies are needed.
2. Regulatory compliance varies significantly by jurisdiction, with federal law still restricting many cannabis-derived compounds despite state-level changes.
3. Precise administration methods, including controlled-rate infusion where appropriate, may help optimize therapeutic outcomes while managing potential risks.
4. The FDA's current request for veterinary input represents an important opportunity to shape future regulatory approaches to these emerging therapies.
Please note that we don’t consider ourselves experts on medical cannabis use in your practice. We collect and curate information to save you time, and help you find the authoritative sources that can guide your decisions.
We do, however, consider ourselves experts on fluid delivery. And if you need infusion pump repairs, new infusion pumps, or refurbished infusion pumps, we’re eager to help.
So where does that leave you?
We identified 4 key takeaways from this information, which may be useful to you and your colleagues.
1. Research on cannabis-derived compounds shows preliminary promise for specific conditions like epilepsy and osteoarthritis pain in dogs, though more studies are needed.
2. Regulatory compliance varies significantly by jurisdiction, with federal law still restricting many cannabis-derived compounds despite state-level changes.
3. Precise administration methods, including controlled-rate infusion where appropriate, may help optimize therapeutic outcomes while managing potential risks.
4. The FDA's current request for veterinary input represents an important opportunity to shape future regulatory approaches to these emerging therapies.
Please note that we don’t consider ourselves experts on medical cannabis use in your practice. We collect and curate information to save you time, and help you find the authoritative sources that can guide your decisions.
We do, however, consider ourselves experts on fluid delivery. And if you need infusion pump repairs, new infusion pumps, or refurbished infusion pumps, we’re eager to help.
Sources
AVMA | FDA asks for veterinarians’ comments on cannabis
AVMA | Cannabis use and pets
Frontiers of Veterinary Science | Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs
Frontiers of Veterinary Science | Feeding Cannabidiol (CBD)-Containing Treats Did Not Affect Canine Daily Voluntary Activity
Frontiers of Veterinary Science | US Veterinarians' Knowledge, Experience, and Perception Regarding the Use of Cannabidiol for Canine Medical Conditions
US FDA | CVM GFI #256 - Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances
US DEA | Drug Scheduling