Legislation to explicitly allow and regulate the medical use of cannabis for pets is advancing in the California Legislature.

California Assembly Bill 2215 would expand “the intent of the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) to control and regulate cannabis and cannabis products for medicinal use on pets.” The bill would define “cannabis products” to include products intended for medicinal use on a pet. The bill wouldn’t allow a veterinarian to administer medical cannabis, “but allow a veterinarian to discuss the use of cannabis on an animal for medicinal purposes without being disciplined or denied, revoked or suspended by the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB). ”

The measure states that the VMB “would have until July 1, 2019 to promulgate guidelines for veterinarians to follow when discussing the use of cannabis”, and it “Provides that a cannabis product for use on a pet may only be sold to an adult 21 years or age or over by a licensee who has been issued a retailer license, as specified.”

The proposal quietly passed the Assembly at the end of May in a 60 to 10 vote. Yesterday in the Senate Appropriations Committee it was “ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.”

If the bill is passed by the full Senate, it will be sent to Governor Jerry Brown for consideration.

The full text of Assembly Bill 2215 can be found by clicking here.