Maximum Yield Cannabis USA April/May 2018 | Page 34

heal
C & annabis
anines
C
by Alan Ray
34
grow. heal. learn. enjoy.
While it has become popular to give dogs cannabis to ease a
variety of ailments, there is little research to back up how Fido
might react. Plus, while edibles made with chocolate or xylitol
are safe for humans, they may be toxic for your pets. Alan Ray
explores the uncertain world of cannabis and canines.
T
he catalog of health benefits reported by medical marijuana
users and researchers alike keeps growing thicker. From
chronic pain relief to the easement of stress to appetite stimulation
for patients too weak or sick to want to eat, medical marijuana is
proving to be just what the doctor ordered for some people.
Given that, the natural next step is to ask, “If it works for people,
will it work for my pet?” The answer is often complicated, and
much of what we know is anecdotal. More study is needed,
though research is underway and it is promising.
There are many anecdotal reports of licensed veterinarians
effectively treating dogs with medical marijuana by for
disorders including separation anxiety and pain. To
what degree dogs are affected by the compounds in
marijuana depends on many factors. Weight, size, age,
and individual tolerances, as well as plant potency,
all play a role. So can the animal’s medical history.
We do know dogs are more susceptible to the
effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than some
other animals, including people, but it’s not the
THC content that is medically beneficial.
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