Cannabis and Canines – The scoop on Canine Cannabis

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194 – September 2019

By Amy Fernandez

It’s hard to get your head around it, the idea that the ultimate flower power symbol of peace, love, and happiness has become the focal point of the war between ….well, basically every state and federal agency, and myriad health and social welfare organizations nationwide. Yes, whatever you call it–420, weed, ganja, skunk–this traditional bedrock of American counterculture has suddenly taken center stage as a miracle drug and a corporate goldmine. As expected, the petcare industry hasn’t been asleep at the wheel. In a fittingly psychedelic partnership, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg have teamed up to launch a massive pet-friendly product line. Obviously, FDA doesn’t watch TMZ. To quote former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb at the recent hearing on CBD regulation, “putting CBD in pet food is absurd.” I got news for the FDA, pet food is the tip of that marketing iceberg. Better start at the beginning.
And that would be the decided national shift in attitudes. For generations of Americans, the 1936 classic movie Reefer Madness summed up their concept of marijuana. Today, Americans unquestionably favor decriminalization. A 1997 Washington Post survey found 22 percent in favor, the same poll in 2009 revealed 46 percent saying yes. Socially and legally, less restrictive attitudes have steadily gained traction. A 2014 Gallup poll, for the first time, tipped the balance when 51 percent of Americans favored legalization under all circumstances.
Most of that stems from the highly publicized virtues of medical marijuana and that evidence dates back at least 4000 years. In ancient China, it was used to treat gout, malaria, and rheumatism. Modern medical history likewise abounds with testaments to its uses. Queen Victoria famously sipping her “marijuana tea” stands as a sort of landmark in drug culture history. And in fact, it was routinely included in the United States Pharmacopoeia list of approved medications until 1942.
The point is that medicinal usage of hemp derivatives long predated legal restrictions. Those practices became the springboard for modern investigations into its efficacy treating a broad range of conditions that often defy standard therapy regimens. Although scant, the resulting science has been convincing enough to overturn decades of legal barriers, first for medical use, currently in 29 states, and for recreational use in 10, with 14 others decriminalizing recreational use. Right now it’s no longer a question of whether it will be legalized, but when, AKA the Green Revolution.
Although the Green Revolution seems imminent remember that this seismic change is being fueled not only by medical promise but also by corporate interest. Medical marijuana has become a standard alternative treatment for a growing list of conditions. However, at this point commercialization is vastly overstating the case. It can justifiably be called a predictable overreaction to decades of unjustified suppression. Information about cannabis, formerly censored in the interest of public health, has now veered into the snake oil realm.
Actual science about the drug didn’t emerge until 1963. That’s when biochemist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam earned his historic role in this drama by analyzing the complete cannabis molecule, which in turn led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS)–basically connecting the dots of how and why it works. Yes, the truth is that despite worldwide cultural celebration and demonization for thousands of years nobody had bothered to find out why.

Side effects

Since it’s becoming a widely advocated alternative to prescription pain meds here’s one encouraging finding. It’s impossible to OD on cannabis. The discovery of the endocannabinoid system also settled that tedious debate. Neural receptors responding to drugs like alcohol or heroin are clustered in the brainstem- which controls basic life-sustaining functions like breathing and heartbeat. The body is not only equipped with far fewer cannabinoid receptors, but none also exist in those regions of the nervous system.
Overdose can cause unpleasant mental effects like paranoia, dizziness or extreme lethargy but it won’t be fatal. Nor is there any basis supporting alarmist claims that it’s addictive – it has no biological properties to trigger physical dependence; not gonna happen. However, long term use of any drug will induce tolerance, and this one’s no different. Actually, supportive evidence at this point suggests that more potent modern cannabis strains offer the advantage of necessitating lower dosage.
Although Mechoulam’s discoveries were extremely incentivizing, he is on the record stating that the scope of his work, as well as subsequent supporting academic investigation, has been hindered by decades of misinformation and legal barriers, which really clamped down in 1970 when cannabis was classified as a schedule 1 drug (high potential for addiction and no medical value). And predictably, most subsequent research focused on isolating and synthesizing THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the notorious psychoactive component, which has been extracted, purified and concentrated by human ingenuity long before the commercial drug industry got into the act.
Actual groundwork of how hemp derivatives actively influence physiology has been piecemeal and erratic to say the least, simply because access to drugs for research remained very limited until five minutes ago. Therefore, much current information comes via clinical trials conducted outside the U.S. such as the earliest studies evaluating CBD’s effectiveness in treating epilepsy, done back in the 1980s. Moreover, some research has yielded conflicting data. For instance, small scale studies have suggested that cannabis compounds both exacerbate and inhibit cardiovascular disease.
Here in the U.S. a government pot farm was started in 1968, but that research was devoted to corroborating their negative legal stance on the drug. Probably the biggest turnaround was last year’s $140 million NIH funding of cannabis research, with $15 million of that earmarked for CBD. And believe me, there’s plenty of questions on the table at this point in the game.
THC and CBD are hemp’s most abundant chemical compounds but far from the only ones. So don’t even be thinking hemp=marijuana. And although Dr. Mechoulam had no idea how many would eventually be isolated, he correctly predicted that total synthesis of the plant represented a “medical treasure trove”.
Here’s the thing. Although medical marijuana is now a fact of life in over half the country, nothing about it is standardized. It’s being manufactured and distributed in formulations from cookies to salves, but despite tight state regulations, the actual products run the gamut in every imaginable respect. Part of this stems from the amazing advances in cultivation.
Legal technicalities haven’t hindered industrious selective breeding. Gregor Mendel would be proud of this work. Cannabis cultivation emerged from those underground decades as a whole different animal. For starters, old-timey locoweed possessed THC levels far below those found in modern strains, which can literally blow your socks off.
Obviously, studies of randomly sourced products have questionable value. But it’s safe to say that most recreational (albeit illegal) product cultivated over the past 50 years was grown in hot climates- which also greatly influences the plant’s chemical composition. Selective breeding along with increasingly sophisticated technology and educational resources has put marijuana cultivation on par with the art and science of vineyard management.
Alien Dawg Hybrid, Maui Sativa, Girl Scout Cookie, Purple Haze, Skywalker, Gorilla Glue–oh, the list is endless. The average weed of today is not only stronger in terms of THC content, but every other associated intangible sensation from sleepiness to appetite stimulation has also been tailored into an endless variety of hybridized strains possessing varying ratios of individual cannabinoids, and those minute differences in chemical makeup makes a big difference.
But getting back to the point, most strains of medical marijuana are cultivated for CBD potency, rather than THC. As legions of disappointed stoners have discovered, medical marijuana provides no reliable buzz. However, that’s not the only difference. Subtle chemical ratios of all the natural hemp compounds make a particular strain best suited to treat different conditions. This also explains why both the mental and physical effects of cannabinoids are so varied and sometimes contradictory. For instance, causing both drowsiness and insomnia in different individuals.

Tailoring Treatment

Although it’s confirmed that hemp’s cannabinoids interact with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, we are a long way from understanding precisely how these chemical interactions- whether naturally or artificially produced- impact biochemistry. Patients who swear by its benefits still admit that individual treatment remains a very informal, experimental process.
Myriad specialized strains are just part of the story. Customized blends are manufactured in countless forms and strengths for internal or topical use. Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate– all touted for different, unique benefits. For instance, one 2015 study concluded that full-spectrum CBD compounds are most effective for treating inflammatory conditions–sometimes dubbed the ‘entourage’ effect. And it seems that the method of ingestion is just as significant as the formula and the strength of the compound.
The important takeaway point is that a natural substance and a synthetic substance differ drastically in terms of chemical precision. The basic goal of pharmacology is producing a compound with well-defined, measurable, consistent ingredients. Regulating dosage, the key to any successful drug therapy, remains incredibly tricky business. At this point, medical prescribing is truly a combination of art and science and no straightforward consumer choice.
Proponents admit that their success using hemp derivatives came via personal experimentation to establish timing, dosage, strength and mainly which compounds brought relief. Many medical marijuana users also routinely combine it with conventional medications. And as noted, long term use usually leads to tolerance and consequent dosage adjustment.
Altogether, this explains why it would be impossible for FDA to simply classify marijuana as a prescription drug. From a medical standpoint, marijuana encompasses a million possibilities. In some respects, it could be compared to aspirin, a modest traditional drug that’s been on the market since 1890. But understanding how it works didn’t happen until 1970 and only then did it’s previously unrecognized, medical uses become known.
Despite their hard-line official stance, FDA has approved both natural and synthetic THC and CBD compounds for prescription use. So things were progressing but not exactly under control when this Wild West show commenced last year.
The pivotal moment happened when the highly publicized 2018 Farm Bill removed the last legal barrier blocking commercial distribution. Legions of companies were geared up for this long-anticipated marketing avalanche. While the FDA retains control of products containing THC, CBD (legally anything containing less than .3 percent THC) was up for grabs. CBD derivatives of every kind flooded the market instantly. Its newfound role goes far beyond therapeutic use if you believe what you read; CBD belongs in just about every aspect of life.
The problem, as usual, is that legislative policy is slow to catch up with national perception. Widespread advocacy of CBD’s medicinal efficacy obviously conflicted with longstanding national messaging that until recently classified marijuana (in all forms) alongside heroin. Although its potential health benefits are now established, FDA, DEA, and USDA–basically all federal agencies connected to the production and distribution of hemp products–continue to dither and request more research into the therapeutic value and potential risks.
Last October Consumer Reports projected the CBD market to top $2.15 billion by the end of next year. We’re not talking pocket change, here. Conservative predictions expect it to exceed $16 billion by 2025, which brings me to the next point, that 2018 Farm Bill not only removed limits on commercial distribution, it became the platform to promote the new wonder drug in every imaginable form of health, beauty and wellness product. For instance, the World Anti-Doping Agency recently removed CBD from its list of banned drugs. Naturally, that unleashed a deluge of commercial endorsements from sports heroes.
Technically, CBD is not currently approved for dietary supplements but you wouldn’t know it from the plethora of products already on the market. A few official agencies have posted statement positions on CBD, such as the World Health Organization, which says it is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile and very low potential for adverse effects. Of course, that’s true of practically every OTC product, which under the wrong circumstances can cause plenty of adverse effects. No drug is completely benign.
The summation of this trainwreck of official dithering and grassroots consumerism is zero quality control. Exploitation and deceptive marketing are ancient traditions in both the drug industry and the pet biz. The birth of the internet has propelled us to this glorious moment in American pharmaceutical history.

FDA Hearing

FDA concedes that consumer complaints about CBD are piling up, ranging from ineffective to poisonous products. This is not news. The November 2017 Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that 70 percent of CBD products sold online are inaccurately labeled.
Better late than never. The recent FDA hearing to begin sorting the vast CBD industry was inundated with petitions, which definitely caught regulators off guard and highlighted the scope of this mess. Eventually, a lottery system winnowed down presenters to 120, each given 2-5 minutes to sum up their claims and counterclaims regarding the safety and efficacy of an inadequately understood chemical compound. This was where Gottlieb made his famous remark dismissing the possibility of CBD-infused pet products, which was not only ludicrous but certainly revealed their poor grasp of reality.
FDA technically has the authority to pull any dangerous product off the market but, as we well know, life is slow over there. They have shut down a few CBD products touting outrageous curative claims. But regulating medical marijuana in any form is mainly left to state agencies. And those rules and guidelines governing prescribing, dispensing, growing, and processing for public consumption are all over the map.
Random product testing–mainly between competitors–is currently the primary means of identifying products contaminated with toxins from pesticides to heavy metals, in addition to rampant mislabeling of actual content, ranging from zero to far over label specifications.
Overall, this sector of the market is a masterpiece of industry growth and public peril. It’s comparable to the vitamin supplement industry where consumers are confronted with millions of choices, all apparently wholesome, pure, and healthful. In fact, random testing regularly reveals unsettling surprises on the shelves of health food emporiums.
FDA is now presumably aware of the scope of the CBD business, but don’t expect any useful government intervention soon. Their immediate plan is creating a “framework” to define and regulate products. Meanwhile, the industry has marshaled every conceivable legal and business advisor to hone marketing strategies that strategically straddle the fine line of aggressive marketing and consumer fraud.
In September 2018 California became the first state to formally address this part of the nightmare by permitting veterinarians to discuss cannabis products as a treatment option. (In California both medical and recreational marijuana are legal). It’s far from the first state to do that, therefore this gap is somewhat astonishing. All 29 states where medical marijuana is currently legal have laws in place specifically shielding medical providers from possible criminal or disciplinary charges, but none formally address the issue of veterinary use. Technically, that meant veterinarians risked disciplinary action ranging from formal censure to loss of professional privileges if they ventured into the subject.
However, Assembly Bill 2215 is much more about what veterinarians cannot do rather than what they’re legally permitted to do in terms of client guidance. California’s law effectively bars them from any direct role that might be construed as a financial stake in any state-based cannabis business. It’s meant to prevent obvious conflict of interest issues from muddying these already murky waters, but does nothing to address the very significant consumer quandary about the purity or safety of products marketed for pets. AB2215 requires the state’s veterinary community to formalize and publish official guidelines for cannabis products to treat animals by January 2020. In all likelihood, it will become a template for uniform national policies… eventually.
None of this is news in the dog biz. We may be a cynical lot, but we’re also very open-minded, and the thing is that conventional veterinary medicine doesn’t always have answers. This need for alternative options drove the legalization of medical marijuana and these compounds may be equally beneficial for treating numerous veterinary issues. But at this point owners must rely primarily on non-professional sources such as budtenders and other retail purveyors for specific product guidance as the number of hemp-based pet products on the market grows exponentially.
Recently, I visited the NYC Cannabis Business Expo. Clearly, every conceivable medicinal use touted for humans is mirrored in comparable veterinary products. That market niche is firmly established. Bone and joint ailments, pain relief, seizures, intestinal disorders, heart conditions, eye problems, and every type of behavior issue. This robust market belies the scientific evidence, legal protocol, or medical precision supporting this new wave of canine wellness. Veterinary research is underway, but based on my discussions with various product representatives, formulations and dosage instructions are extrapolated from human and lab rat data.
I did come across one new facet of the situation that seemed to offer some hope. My timing was good, CannabisDNA had launched just a week earlier. And while it is not available for veterinary use, this unique service attempts to impart some objectivity to this medical mystery tour.
CannabisDNA company spokesman Dean Crutchfield explained that their service analyzes an individual’s genetic signature using a proprietary algorithm to calculate predispositions for a range of health conditions that will theoretically respond to THC, CBD, or some other cannabinoid blend. The test analyzes 12 genetic markers with significant associations to specific traits. He said, “We look at pain sensitivity, overeating tendencies, sleep patterns, mood, learning, memory, cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal function, immune response, neural development. These are the pretty standard DNA markers extrapolated from large populations.
“So what’s the outcome of this? Average, above average, or a below-average tendency for certain traits? Based on that, we are able to create a detailed personalized recommendation for a strain of kush, charlotte’s web, or some other CBD/THC combination for that individual. We want to provide them with some knowledge and confidence about what they are doing.”
But Dean emphasizes that even with those directional clues prescribing involves a lot of subjectivity. For instance, “A broad range of conditions can fall under the description of anxiety.” And getting it right is paramount. He says, “Due to variables of personal genetics and individual health issues, a cannabis product that is optimal for one person may not be effective for another. We don’t make medical recommendations but it’s a step up from trial and error. You don’t need to try 10, 20, 30 strains to see if something is going to help you.” A shotgun approach at best will be unsuccessful. “The same compound can and does produce different reactions based on individual biology. You could be trying stuff for weeks or months and if you don’t metabolize it properly, it could cause more problems.” It’s a crucial but moot point in this case since no similar screening is available for dogs.
So, what to do?
As research begins to catch up to reality, many current problems will resolve themselves as far as standardizing potency and chemical content and determining and calibrating proper dosage. Much of the incomplete and sometimes contradictory research will also start adding up to comprehensive answers.
Obviously, the question at hand is what this means for your dog right now. Like everyone else, veterinarians are becoming more receptive to the subject but that, of course, varies. It’s not like asking your vet’s opinion on antibiotics or vaccines. On the other hand, conventional veterinary medicine doesn’t always have much to offer. So, if there’s a possibility that one or another cannabis compound may help, by all means, investigate. Acupuncture is the classic example of an alternative treatment with an impressive track record. However, don’t expect miracles. Determining potential therapeutic value remains a trial and error process.
In that sense, dog owners are ahead of the game. Evaluating any drug’s impact is a perennial challenge of veterinary diagnostics. Yes, testing has simplified this, but we all know the limits of that, especially when it comes to treating chronic diseases. We are conditioned to relying on personal observation of the animal’s condition.
The effectiveness of cannabis derivatives to alleviate nausea, pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, seizures, and other symptoms is uncontested. The evidence is a little sketchier when it comes to reliable therapeutic value for mental and behavioral issues. So, be prepared for that when devising a treatment plan. As noted, many medical marijuana users combine or alternate various formulations with conventional drugs for optimal results.
And most importantly, “Caveat emptor” or Buyer Beware for those needing translation. Even though actual hemp extract seems fairly safe, there’s not much to guarantee it’s what you’re getting. At least half the country now has the option of officially supervised purchasing guidance rather than the corner bodega. Based on my offhand survey, SOME green cross establishments are willing to recommend products and dosages for pets. For everyone else–just like weed–CBD is available on every street corner. However, no amount of diligent observation matters if the product doesn’t contain what’s promised on the label.
And that’s another crucial point. The availability of this drug in so many forms simplifies the challenge of dosing a dog. But most of the alarming headlines about cannabis poisoning arise from unsupervised or unregulated consumption. Edible products are especially problematic. They work slower and their appealing presentation encourages casual consumption. If the directions say one-sixth of a cookie, DO NOT eat the whole thing. The result might be the proverbial “bad acid trip” . It’s not fatal, but for a dog, that would be quite terrifying.
I don’t want to imply that every pet-related product within this blossoming market is dodgy. However, let’s face it; the entire pet industry was founded on marketing stuff that’s unsalable for human consumption. Even today, quality oversight of products manufactured for animal consumption is spotty.
The FDA hasn’t been anyone’s favorite government agency for awhile, but health care professionals generally welcome their involvement in this deal. Realistically, that possibility is a long way off. And when it does happen, their famous clinical trials will undoubtedly add ten years of wait time to any semblance of product uniformity. As far as FDA scrutiny of formulations manufactured specifically for pets…well, don’t hold your breath. But open-minded investigation is always good, so don’t be afraid to try it. Nothing is worse than living with a suffering dog you can’t fix and cannabis- in some form- may be the answer. In the immortal words of Snoop Dogg “U don’t know where u goin unless u know where u come from.”

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is comprised of two sets of neural receptors that help to regulate everything from sleep cycles to immune function.
CB type 1 cannabinoid receptors are primarily clustered in the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex, which explains the drug’s impact on cognition and focus. Their presence in the basal ganglia and cerebellum causes the coordination effects – (don’t operate heavy machinery). They play a role in learning and memory retention, pain sensitivity, sleep, and neural development.
CB type 2 receptors, scattered throughout the nervous system and major organs, play a role in bone growth, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function, metabolic regulation, appetite, and immune response.
Cannabinoid compounds from hemp reinforce the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids. Needless to say, since all of this is relatively recent news in the big picture of anatomical function, there’s plenty we don’t yet know. (Believe me, this story would be way shorter if anything about it was straightforward.)

Cannabinoid Compounds

This common weed turns out to be a very chemically complex plant. CBD and THC are the primary phytocannabinoids of the plant, but to date 113 have been isolated.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, (THC) famed for its euphoric effects, also possesses profound therapeutic properties. Studies have confirmed its medicinal efficacy treating a broad range of conditions including nausea, muscle tremors, and many types of intractable pain that are notoriously resistant to conventional treatment, such as migraine. Although encouraging, much more research is needed. For example, multiple studies have shown that heavy marijuana smokers do not develop lung cancer at rates even marginally comparable to cigarette smokers. Whether this cancer-fighting effect is imparted by THC or some other cannabinoid in the drug…that’s still a mystery.
Cannabidiol (CBD) in contrast, produces no psychoactive effects. Technically extracted from industrial hemp, research so far has revealed that the CBD molecule has neuroprotective, mood-stabilizing, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It targets specific neural pathways shielding them from oxidative stress, the damaging process underlying several neurogenererative diseases, and inflammatory conditions.

• CBC – the third most common cannabinoid is likewise non-intoxicating. Studies have shown it to elevate mood and provide neuroprotective properties.
• CBN – also non-intoxicating and has pain-reducing effects and works to reduce ocular pressure.
• CBG – early research suggests that it will shrink tumors.
• CBDV – controls nausea
• THCV – reduces anxiety, stimulates bone growth, suppresses appetite
• CBDa – has shown some cancer-fighting properties
• THCa – has shown some cancer-fighting properties
These are just some hemp compounds so far isolated and studied. Also, keep in mind that different parts of the plant contain varying concentrations of these compounds. Extremely small differences in chemical ratios produce markedly different effects.
Terpenes are an equally important and nuanced class of cannabis molecules that impart its aroma and taste. Turpentine and citronella are some common terpenes. Hemp terpenes occur in far lower concentrations than the cannabinoids but, so far, research suggests that terpene content makes a vast difference in the effects produced by various strains. For instance, even a sniff of hemp terpenes produces a measurable physiological effect.

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194 – September 2019

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Posted by AnthonyA on Oct 27 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.