Can Pets Get High? As Marijuana Legalization Spreads, Pot Is The Newest Way To Treat Sick Animal Companions

Puppies — Four puppies, cloned from a labrador retriever, pose for a photograph with researchers at Seoul National University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, July 1, 2008. Reuters

Over half the U.S. — 26 states and Washington, D.C. — have legalized marijuana in some form or another, whether it be recreational or medical. And while many people have been pushing for marijuana legalization for years, humans haven't the only ones enjoying it: animals have been, too.

Americans have started giving their pets weed in the form of extracts, ointments and edibles in order to help them with a variety of medical problems, reported the Associated Press Wednesday. The chemical compound found in these products is called cannabidiol, or CBD. Although it’s found in cannabis, it doesn’t actually get humans or pets high. Further, many of these products aren’t regulated.

But that’s not stopping many pet-owners from experimenting with their four-legged companions’ medication: Dog has anxiety? Give her CBD edibles. Cat’s arthritic? He might just need some CBD ointment. Chinchilla has seizures? Again, CBD.

At least, that’s what many pet owners have been banking on. In fact, there hasn’t been much research to determine exactly how marijuana affects pets, nor data showing how effective it is in treating them for their ailments. As such, veterinarians were prohibited from prescribing marijuana products to pets.

"Our hands really are tied," Ken Pawlowski, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association, told the AP. "Definitely we're getting more questions from clients asking about it for their pets, but unfortunately we don't have any answers for them."

Regardless, humans often give these products to their pets on their own volition.

"You just see a real difference in their spirit. They're just not in pain, so they're happier and they're moving better," said Lynne Tingle, who runs a pet adoption center and animal sanctuary in California.

Tingle often gives edibles and ointments to dogs with behavioral issues, and she said she sees a positive difference.

"They just get a new lease on life," she said.