Beyond obvious regulatory challenges, there is a definite need to ensure the safety and effectiveness of cannabis use in animals. The challenge for pet owners and veterinarians is to become educated with about the endocannaboid system and cannabis administration.
Gary Richter, DVM, MS, provides an introduction to understanding how the endocannabinoid system functions and how compounds in cannabis (phytocannabinoids) exert physiologic effects through accessing endogenous pathways.
Medical cannabis is here to stay.” – Gary Richter, DVM, MS
Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, September/October 2020. Link. Veterinarians need to be at the center of the conversation about safe and effective medical cannabis for our patients rather than abdicating the responsibility to untrained people who are trying to sell a product. Only by educating ourselves and vocally supporting our need as medical professionals to provide guidance to clients will the veterinary profession be able to address client concerns and keep our patients safe.
INSIGHTS: <tongue in cheek> 😉 And we thought the arachidonic acid pathway, COX and LOX challenging to comprehend!