The medical cannabis industry is looking to tap into uncharted territory: pet health. Several companies are launching high CBD, low THC edibles that are specially formulated for pet use. Pot, the drug, relies on its active ingredient THC for its euphoric properties. However, cannabis also contains many other natural chemicals called cannabidiols whose medicinal properties have been hailed time and time again.
Older pets get afflicted with a whole range of illnesses. And the secret to it is none other than cannabis-or the compound CBD, in particular. San Francisco edibles manufacturer Auntie Dolores is one of the pioneers of pet-formulated CBD medicine. Their dog biscuits, Treatibles, contains one milligram of CBD per treat. They come in packs of 40 treats for $22.
"What we've seen is that some of these dogs respond very rapidly," said Matthew J. Cote, brand manager for Auntie Dolores. "One woman from Fort Bragg was ready to put down her dog due to how sick and in pain he was, but the day before he was scheduled to go under, she administered our treats and just like that the dog was up, walking around and acting normally again."
Another edibles maker, Canna Companion, sells capsules which contain powdered dry hemp and is getting very similar positive feedback from their customers. Alternet reported that, "It's one more tool in our tool belt and we firmly believe that veterinarians and pet parents should have it available to them if they should choose to use it," Canna Companion co-owner and licensed veterinarian Sarah Brandon shared.
Lastly, Dixie Brands is launching CBD products for humans and pets alike. The pet version Therabis was developed with the expertise of Stephan Katz, a licensed veterinarian. Everything from separation anxiety to itching to joint pains will be aided by the CBD medicine, Biz Journals reported.
While the FDA is still issuing warnings against CBD use in animals, there seems to be no stopping companies from cashing in on the miracle drug. The more research the government is able to put into CBD medicine, the better will be for humans and their pet companions.
