While New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy is on a mission to increase the size of the state’s medicinal marijuana program, there is not much yet being done for pets who could benefit from the drug.
New Jersey veterinarians are not allowed legally to give pet owners advice or recommendations for marijuana.
“There’s a tremendous future in them, and I believe as time goes on, they will serve a great use. But, at this point, we’re handcuffed,” explained Dr. George Cattiny, a veterinarian in Pompton Lakes.
“No one wants to take any risk. You don’t want to be the pioneer and risk your license.”
Dr. Jeffrey F. Powers, the chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s subcommittee on cannabinoids, said the nation’s largest veterinary professional organization will discuss being able to recommend marijuana at its October meeting.
“Clients have historically gone to the veterinarian to be the source of knowledge about their animal’s health,” Powers commented. “And (so) the vet is left in a precarious position. … It needs to be that we can talk freely.”
