CBD Veterinary Medicine: Research, Regulations, and Clinical Applications

Executive Summary

CBD veterinary medicine represents a rapidly evolving intersection of cannabis policy, animal health science, and regulatory uncertainty that affects millions of pet owners and veterinary professionals across the United States. As of May 2026, cannabidiol products marketed for companion animals occupy a legal gray zone where federal prohibition under the Controlled Substances Act conflicts with state-level veterinary practice acts, FDA enforcement discretion, and growing scientific evidence of therapeutic potential. Recent peer-reviewed research examining CBD as a potential anticancer agent for dogs has intensified scrutiny of the regulatory framework governing veterinary cannabinoid medicine. The market for pet CBD products reached an estimated $750 million in 2025, yet veterinarians in most states face professional sanctions for recommending specific products or dosing protocols. This regulatory paralysis persists despite the 2018 Farm Bill's legalization of hemp-derived CBD containing less than 0.3% THC, because the FDA has not approved CBD as a veterinary drug or authorized its use as a feed additive. Pet owners navigate an unregulated marketplace where product quality varies dramatically, third-party testing remains voluntary, and adverse event reporting systems capture only a fraction of incidents. The collision between consumer demand, emerging clinical data, and federal inaction has created a patchwork of state-level approaches that will shape the future of cannabinoid therapeutics in veterinary medicine.

Why This Matters

The CBD veterinary medicine question directly impacts 67% of U.S. households—approximately 86.9 million homes that own pets—along with 120,000 licensed veterinarians navigating professional liability exposure. Dogs represent the largest segment of this market, with an estimated 65.1 million households owning at least one canine companion as of 2025. The financial stakes extend beyond consumer spending: veterinary practices face revenue implications as clients increasingly seek cannabinoid treatment options, while pharmaceutical companies evaluate whether to invest in FDA-approved veterinary cannabinoid drugs that could cost $50-100 million to bring through the approval process. The regulatory uncertainty carries profound consequences for animal welfare. Pets suffering from osteoarthritis, seizure disorders, anxiety, and cancer-related pain represent millions of potential patients whose owners report symptom improvement with CBD products, yet veterinarians cannot legally prescribe these treatments or provide dosing guidance in most jurisdictions. This information vacuum forces pet owners to rely on pet store employees, online forums, and product marketing claims rather than professional veterinary advice. State veterinary medical boards face enforcement dilemmas as they balance consumer protection mandates against practitioner demand for regulatory clarity. California's Veterinary Medical Board reported receiving over 1,200 inquiries about CBD between 2019 and 2025, yet the board cannot authorize what federal law prohibits. The American Veterinary Medical Association has documented that 63% of veterinarians report client questions about CBD products at least weekly, while only 12% feel adequately informed to provide evidence-based guidance. The anticancer research emerging in May 2026 elevates the stakes further. If CBD demonstrates genuine oncological benefit in companion animals, the regulatory paralysis preventing veterinary access to standardized, quality-controlled cannabinoid medicines becomes not merely an inconvenience but a barrier to potentially life-extending treatment. The question transcends cannabis policy to encompass fundamental issues of veterinary practice autonomy, animal welfare, and the pace at which regulatory frameworks adapt to scientific evidence.

Background and History

The modern era of CBD veterinary medicine began with the 2018 Farm Bill's hemp legalization, but the scientific and cultural foundations trace back decades through parallel developments in human cannabis medicine, veterinary pharmacology, and the pet humanization trend.

Pre-2018: Underground Practice and Early Research

Before federal hemp legalization, veterinary use of cannabis-derived compounds existed primarily in states with medical marijuana programs. California veterinarians began quietly discussing cannabinoid therapeutics following the state's 1996 passage of Proposition 215, though the California Veterinary Medical Board explicitly prohibited cannabis recommendations. Dr. Douglas Kramer, a Los Angeles veterinarian, became one of the first U.S. practitioners to publicly advocate for veterinary cannabis access in 2013 after using it to treat his own dog's terminal cancer, sparking national media attention and professional controversy. The first peer-reviewed study of cannabinoid pharmacokinetics in dogs appeared in 2016, when Colorado State University researchers published data on CBD absorption and elimination in healthy dogs. This foundational work established that dogs metabolize CBD differently than humans, with a half-life of approximately 4.2 hours at therapeutic doses. The study emerged from Colorado's unique position as both an early adult-use cannabis state and home to a major veterinary teaching hospital.

2018: The Farm Bill Creates Regulatory Confusion

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, signed December 20, 2018, removed hemp and hemp-derived compounds from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, defining hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. Section 10113 of the statute explicitly preserved FDA authority over hemp-derived products, creating immediate tension between agricultural legalization and pharmaceutical regulation. Within weeks of the Farm Bill's passage, pet CBD products flooded retail channels. The market grew from an estimated $8 million in 2018 to $32 million in 2019, a 300% increase driven by consumer demand and minimal regulatory enforcement. The FDA issued a statement on December 20, 2018, clarifying that CBD remained subject to drug approval requirements and could not be added to animal feed without approval, but the agency conducted no significant enforcement actions against pet CBD manufacturers during this period.

2019-2020: State-Level Veterinary Guidance Emerges

California became the first state to provide explicit guidance when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2215 in September 2019, prohibiting the California Veterinary Medical Board from sanctioning veterinarians solely for discussing cannabis with clients. The law stopped short of authorizing prescriptions or recommendations but created a safe harbor for educational conversations. Nevada followed with similar legislation in June 2020 through Senate Bill 398, explicitly allowing veterinarians to provide written documentation for animal use of cannabis products. The American Veterinary Medical Association convened a Cannabis Working Group in 2019, which issued recommendations in January 2020 calling for FDA regulatory clarity, increased research funding, and state-level protections for veterinary-client discussions. The AVMA stopped short of endorsing veterinary cannabis use but acknowledged the need for evidence-based guidance.

2021-2023: Research Acceleration and Market Maturation

Federal research restrictions began easing as the National Institutes of Health and USDA made hemp research funding available. Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine published a landmark osteoarthritis study in July 2020 showing that dogs receiving CBD oil at 2 mg/kg twice daily demonstrated significant pain reduction and increased activity levels compared to placebo groups. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial represented the highest-quality evidence to date for CBD efficacy in companion animals. Baylor College of Medicine researchers published pharmacokinetic data for cats in 2022, revealing that felines metabolize CBD even more slowly than dogs, with a half-life exceeding 10 hours. This finding raised concerns about cumulative toxicity in cats given repeated dosing, highlighting species-specific considerations that complicate veterinary cannabinoid medicine. The FDA issued warning letters to 15 pet CBD companies between 2019 and 2023 for making unapproved drug claims, including assertions that products could treat cancer, epilepsy, and other specific diseases. These enforcement actions targeted the most egregious marketing violations but left the broader market largely unregulated.

2024-2025: Professional Guidelines and Quality Standards

The Veterinary Cannabis Society, founded in 2019, released evidence-based dosing guidelines in March 2024 based on published pharmacokinetic studies. The guidelines recommended starting doses of 1-2 mg/kg CBD twice daily for dogs, with titration based on clinical response. However, the organization emphasized that these represented educational information rather than prescribing recommendations, given ongoing regulatory constraints. The National Animal Supplement Council launched a voluntary quality certification program for pet CBD products in January 2025, requiring third-party testing for cannabinoid content, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination. As of May 2026, only 47 of an estimated 2,000+ pet CBD brands had achieved certification, reflecting the program's rigorous standards and the industry's quality control challenges.

May 2026: Anticancer Evidence Emerges

The scientific review published in May 2026 synthesized preclinical and emerging clinical data on CBD's anticancer mechanisms in canine patients. The review examined CBD's effects on apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition, and metastasis suppression in canine cancer cell lines, particularly osteosarcoma and lymphoma. While the authors emphasized that clinical trial data remained limited, the mechanistic evidence suggested potential therapeutic value warranting further investigation. This publication arrived as veterinary oncologists increasingly fielded questions from clients seeking complementary approaches to conventional chemotherapy protocols.

Key Players

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine holds primary regulatory authority over veterinary drugs and animal feed additives. The agency has maintained that CBD products intended for therapeutic use in animals constitute unapproved new animal drugs under 21 U.S.C. § 360b, regardless of hemp's legal status. The FDA approved Epidiolex for human epilepsy treatment in 2018 but has not approved any CBD products for veterinary use. The agency's enforcement approach has focused on egregious marketing claims rather than broad market removal, creating a de facto tolerance policy that confuses manufacturers and veterinarians alike.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees hemp cultivation and processing under the 2018 Farm Bill, establishing testing protocols for THC content and licensing requirements for hemp producers. The USDA's framework governs the agricultural commodity but explicitly defers to FDA on product regulation, creating a jurisdictional boundary that leaves pet CBD products in regulatory limbo. The department has funded hemp research through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including studies on cannabinoid stability and extraction methods relevant to veterinary product manufacturing.

American Veterinary Medical Association

The AVMA represents over 99,000 veterinarians and has advocated for federal regulatory clarity while maintaining a cautious stance on veterinary cannabis use. The association's 2020 policy statement supports removing barriers to cannabis research, protecting veterinarians who discuss cannabis with clients, and developing FDA-approved veterinary cannabinoid products. The AVMA has not endorsed current pet CBD products due to quality control concerns and limited clinical evidence. The organization's annual convention has featured cannabinoid medicine continuing education sessions since 2019, reflecting member demand for information despite official policy caution.

State Veterinary Medical Boards

State boards license veterinarians and enforce practice standards, creating 50+ different regulatory environments for veterinary cannabis discussions. California, Nevada, and New Hampshire have enacted explicit protections allowing veterinarians to discuss cannabis without board sanctions. Most states maintain ambiguous positions where boards neither explicitly permit nor prohibit cannabis discussions, leaving practitioners uncertain about professional liability exposure. Texas and several other states have issued guidance warning veterinarians that recommending cannabis products could constitute unprofessional conduct.

ElleVet Sciences

Founded in 2017, ElleVet became the largest dedicated pet CBD manufacturer through partnerships with veterinary schools and investment in clinical research. The company funded the Cornell osteoarthritis study and has published pharmacokinetic data supporting its product formulations. ElleVet markets exclusively through veterinary clinics rather than retail channels, positioning itself as the research-backed option for practitioners seeking quality-controlled products. The company reported $45 million in revenue in 2024.

Veterinary Cannabis Society

This professional organization provides education and advocacy for veterinarians interested in cannabinoid therapeutics. The society has developed continuing education programs approved for veterinary licensing credit in multiple states and maintains a registry of practitioners willing to discuss cannabis with clients. Membership grew from 200 founding members in 2019 to over 3,500 veterinarians by 2025, indicating significant professional interest despite regulatory barriers.

Pet Owners and Advocacy Groups

Consumer demand has driven market growth and political pressure for regulatory reform. Online communities like the "CBD for Pets" Facebook group, with over 85,000 members as of 2025, share anecdotal experiences and product recommendations in the absence of professional veterinary guidance. The Pet Advocacy Network has lobbied for federal legislation clarifying veterinary cannabis authority, arguing that the current regulatory vacuum harms animal welfare by preventing informed veterinary oversight.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

CBD veterinary medicine operates within a complex web of federal statutes, state veterinary practice acts, and agency guidance that creates conflicting obligations and widespread regulatory uncertainty. The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., established the foundational federal prohibition on cannabis. The 2018 Farm Bill amended the CSA to exclude hemp, defined as cannabis containing not more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, from Schedule I. This amendment, codified at 21 U.S.C. § 1639o, explicitly preserved FDA authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., requires that new animal drugs receive FDA approval before marketing. Section 360b defines a new animal drug as any drug not generally recognized as safe and effective for its intended use. CBD products marketed for therapeutic purposes in animals meet this definition, making them subject to the new animal drug approval process regardless of their hemp-derived status. The FDA has not approved any CBD products for veterinary use as of May 2026. The FFDCA also prohibits adding CBD to animal feed under 21 U.S.C. § 321, because CBD is an active ingredient in the FDA-approved human drug Epidiolex. This provision creates a legal barrier to CBD incorporation in pet foods and treats, though enforcement has been minimal. State veterinary practice acts govern the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and define the scope of veterinary practice. These statutes typically require that veterinarians establish a valid VCPR before prescribing or dispensing drugs. Most state acts do not explicitly address cannabis, creating interpretive questions about whether veterinarians may discuss, recommend, or dispense hemp-derived CBD products. California's AB 2215, codified in the California Business and Professions Code, prohibits the state veterinary board from disciplining licensees solely for discussing cannabis with clients or providing cannabis-related information. The statute does not authorize veterinarians to prescribe or dispense cannabis products, maintaining a distinction between protected speech and regulated practice. Nevada Revised Statutes § 639.2815, enacted in 2020, explicitly authorizes veterinarians to provide written documentation that an animal might benefit from cannabis use, though it stops short of creating a formal prescription or recommendation authority. This statute represents the most permissive state-level approach to veterinary cannabis as of May 2026. The Association of American Feed Control Officials, a voluntary organization that develops model animal feed regulations adopted by most states, has not established standards for CBD inclusion in pet foods. This absence of AAFCO guidance means that pet foods containing CBD lack defined safety standards, nutritional adequacy protocols, or labeling requirements beyond general FFDCA provisions. Professional liability considerations further complicate the legal landscape. Veterinary malpractice insurance policies typically exclude coverage for violations of federal or state law, creating potential coverage gaps if a veterinarian recommends an unapproved drug. No reported malpractice cases involving veterinary CBD recommendations have reached published decisions as of May 2026, leaving the liability exposure uncertain.

State-by-State Breakdown

Veterinary CBD regulation varies dramatically across states, with explicit authorization in a handful of jurisdictions, ambiguous silence in most, and active discouragement in others.

California

California enacted the most comprehensive veterinary cannabis protections through AB 2215 in 2019. The statute prohibits the California Veterinary Medical Board from sanctioning veterinarians for discussing cannabis with clients, providing cannabis-related information, or expressing opinions about cannabis use in animals. The law does not authorize prescriptions or formal recommendations. California veterinarians may discuss CBD products, share research findings, and answer client questions without professional discipline risk. The state's large veterinary community and early cannabis legalization made it a natural leader in this policy area. As of 2025, approximately 35% of California veterinarians reported discussing CBD with clients at least monthly, according to a California Veterinary Medical Association survey.

Nevada

Nevada's SB 398, effective January 2021, allows veterinarians to provide written documentation that an animal might benefit from cannabis use. This authorization stops short of a formal prescription but creates a legal pathway for veterinarians to support client decisions about cannabis treatment. The Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has not issued specific guidance on documentation requirements or professional standards for these written statements. Nevada's approach reflects its broader cannabis-friendly regulatory environment following adult-use legalization in 2017.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire enacted legislation in 2021 protecting veterinarians who discuss cannabis with clients from professional discipline. The statute mirrors California's approach, creating a safe harbor for conversations without authorizing prescriptions. The New Hampshire Board of Veterinary Medicine has not issued additional guidance on the scope of protected discussions or documentation practices.

Colorado

Despite being an early adult-use cannabis state, Colorado has not enacted specific veterinary cannabis protections. The Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine maintains that veterinarians may discuss cannabis as part of client education but may not prescribe, dispense, or formally recommend cannabis products. The board issued guidance in 2019 stating that veterinarians should direct clients to consult with human physicians regarding cannabis use, a position that many practitioners find impractical for animal patients. Colorado veterinarians operate in a gray zone where informal discussions occur but formal recommendations risk board action.

Texas

Texas represents the restrictive end of the regulatory spectrum. The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners issued guidance in 2020 warning that recommending cannabis products could constitute unprofessional conduct and grounds for license discipline. The board's position reflects Texas's conservative cannabis policy environment and narrow medical marijuana program. Texas veterinarians report the highest levels of concern about professional liability related to CBD discussions, with many declining to engage client questions about cannabinoid products.

New York

New York has not enacted veterinary-specific cannabis legislation, but the state's 2021 adult-use legalization law (Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act) included provisions for future consideration of veterinary cannabis access. The New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, which oversees veterinary licensing, has not issued guidance on CBD discussions or recommendations. New York veterinarians operate under general practice standards without explicit protections or prohibitions.

Florida

Florida's veterinary board has maintained silence on CBD, neither authorizing nor prohibiting veterinary cannabis discussions. The state's large pet population and significant CBD market have created pressure for regulatory clarity, but the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine has not issued formal guidance as of May 2026. Florida veterinarians report wide variation in practice approaches, from open CBD discussions to complete avoidance of cannabinoid topics.

Ohio

Ohio veterinarians face ambiguous guidance from the State Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, which has not issued specific policies on cannabis discussions. The state's medical marijuana program does not include provisions for veterinary access or animal patients. Ohio practitioners report uncertainty about whether discussing CBD products could trigger board scrutiny, leading many to avoid specific product recommendations while providing general information about cannabinoid research.

Market and Business Implications

The pet CBD market reached $750 million in 2025 and is projected to exceed $1.2 billion by 2028, creating significant revenue opportunities and competitive pressures across the veterinary and pet retail industries. Multi-state operators in the cannabis industry have largely avoided the pet CBD market due to regulatory uncertainty and the availability of hemp-derived products through conventional retail channels. This has allowed specialized pet CBD companies and traditional pet supplement manufacturers to dominate the space. Major pet retailers including Petco and PetSmart began carrying CBD products in 2020, providing mainstream distribution that accelerated market growth. Veterinary clinics face strategic decisions about whether to stock CBD products, refer clients to specific brands, or avoid the category entirely. Clinics that carry CBD products report average monthly sales of $2,000-5,000, representing a modest but meaningful revenue stream. However, many veterinarians remain reluctant to stock products they cannot legally prescribe or for which they lack comprehensive safety data. The lack of FDA-approved veterinary CBD drugs has prevented pharmaceutical companies from entering the market through traditional development pathways. A new animal drug application requires extensive safety and efficacy data, typically costing $50-100 million to complete. No major pharmaceutical company has publicly announced a veterinary CBD development program as of May 2026, though several have explored the opportunity. The regulatory uncertainty and relatively small market size compared to human pharmaceuticals make veterinary CBD a challenging investment proposition for large pharmaceutical firms. Wholesale pricing for pet CBD products varies dramatically based on quality and sourcing. Bulk CBD isolate costs $2-5 per gram at wholesale, while full-spectrum hemp extracts command $8-15 per gram. Finished pet CBD products typically retail at $0.50-2.00 per mg of CBD, with a 30 ml bottle containing 300 mg of CBD priced at $40-60. These margins significantly exceed traditional pet supplements, creating strong economic incentives for manufacturers and retailers. Third-party testing adds $200-500 per batch to manufacturing costs, depending on the scope of analysis. Comprehensive testing panels including cannabinoid potency, terpene profiles, pesticide screening, heavy metal analysis, and microbial contamination testing cost $400-500 per batch. Many manufacturers skip comprehensive testing to reduce costs, contributing to the quality control problems documented in academic studies. A 2023 Cornell University study found that 45% of pet CBD products tested contained less than 80% of the labeled CBD content, while 12% contained detectable THC levels that could pose toxicity risks. Insurance companies have begun offering pet CBD product liability coverage, with annual premiums ranging from $2,000-10,000 depending on sales volume and quality control practices. This specialized coverage addresses risks including product contamination, mislabeling, and adverse event claims. The availability of insurance has provided some manufacturers with risk management tools, though coverage excludes claims arising from violations of federal or state drug laws. The potential approval of FDA-regulated veterinary CBD drugs could dramatically reshape the market by establishing quality standards, dosing protocols, and prescribing authority. However, approved drugs would likely cost significantly more than current hemp-derived products, creating a two-tier market where prescription CBD products compete with unregulated supplements. This dynamic mirrors the human CBD market, where FDA-approved Epidiolex costs $30,000+ annually while hemp-derived CBD oils cost $500-2,000 per year for equivalent doses.

What Experts Say

Veterinary researchers, clinicians, and pharmacologists have expressed cautious optimism about CBD's therapeutic potential while emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials and regulatory clarity. Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, professor of clinical nutrition and sports medicine at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, has stated that the osteoarthritis research his team conducted showed promising results for pain management in dogs. According to Wakshlag, dogs receiving CBD demonstrated measurable improvements in activity levels and pain scores, though he has emphasized that the study examined a specific formulation and dose, and results may not generalize to all pet CBD products. Wakshlag has called for additional research on long-term safety, drug interactions, and optimal dosing protocols. Dr. Stephanie McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, published research on CBD for canine epilepsy showing that 89% of dogs receiving CBD experienced seizure reduction. McGrath has noted that while these results suggest therapeutic potential, CBD did not eliminate seizures entirely and should be considered as part of a comprehensive epilepsy management plan rather than a standalone treatment. She has advocated for FDA approval of veterinary CBD products to ensure quality control and enable veterinarians to provide evidence-based recommendations. The American Veterinary Medical Association's position, articulated through its Cannabis Working Group, emphasizes that veterinarians need legal protection to discuss cannabis with clients and access to FDA-approved products backed by clinical evidence. The AVMA has stated that the current regulatory environment harms animal welfare by preventing veterinarians from providing informed guidance while clients use products of uncertain quality and safety. Dr. Dawn Boothe, a veterinary pharmacologist and professor at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine, has highlighted concerns about CBD drug interactions. According to Boothe, CBD inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for metabolizing many common veterinary drugs, including phenobarbital, NSAIDs, and chemotherapy agents. She has stated that veterinarians need comprehensive pharmacokinetic data to safely integrate CBD into treatment protocols for patients receiving multiple medications. The May 2026 scientific review on CBD's anticancer potential synthesized findings from multiple research groups examining cannabinoid effects on canine cancer cells. The review authors noted that CBD demonstrated pro-apoptotic effects in osteosarcoma cell lines and inhibited angiogenesis in lymphoma models. However, the researchers emphasized that in vitro and preclinical data do not necessarily translate to clinical efficacy, and that controlled trials in dogs with naturally occurring cancers are needed to determine whether CBD provides meaningful therapeutic benefit for veterinary oncology patients. Dr. Gary Richter, a California veterinarian and author who has advocated for veterinary cannabis access, has stated that he has observed clinical improvements in patients receiving CBD for conditions including anxiety, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Richter has emphasized that veterinary oversight is essential for safe CBD use, including appropriate dosing, monitoring for adverse effects, and integration with conventional treatments. He has called for state-level legislation protecting veterinary cannabis discussions as an interim measure while federal regulatory reform proceeds. The National Animal Supplement Council has stated that voluntary quality standards can improve pet CBD product safety but cannot substitute for FDA regulatory oversight. According to NASC, the organization's quality certification program provides consumers with a mechanism to identify products meeting rigorous testing standards, but participation remains limited due to the program's cost and stringent requirements.

What's Next

The trajectory of CBD veterinary medicine depends on FDA regulatory decisions, state legislative action, accumulation of clinical evidence, and potential federal cannabis policy reform. The FDA has not signaled plans to approve CBD for veterinary use or establish a regulatory pathway for hemp-derived animal supplements. The agency's 2019 statement that it was exploring potential pathways for CBD products has not resulted in concrete regulatory proposals as of May 2026. Veterinary stakeholders anticipate that FDA action, if it occurs, will likely follow one of three pathways: approval of specific CBD drugs through the new animal drug application process, creation of a regulatory category for hemp-derived supplements with defined safety standards, or continued enforcement discretion allowing the current market to persist with minimal oversight. Congressional legislation could provide regulatory clarity by explicitly authorizing veterinary CBD use or directing the FDA to establish appropriate oversight frameworks. Several bills introduced in the 118th and 119th Congresses have included provisions related to hemp-derived products, but none have specifically addressed veterinary medicine. The Pet Advocacy Network has lobbied for inclusion of veterinary provisions in broader cannabis reform legislation, but these efforts have not yet resulted in enacted law. State legislatures in at least eight states are considering veterinary cannabis legislation for 2026-2027 sessions, according to tracking by the Veterinary Cannabis Society. These bills generally follow the California model of protecting veterinary discussions without creating formal prescribing authority. Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan are considered the most likely to enact protections in 2026 based on legislative momentum and stakeholder support. Clinical research continues to expand, with at least 15 active studies examining CBD in companion animals registered in veterinary research databases as of May 2026. These studies investigate conditions including anxiety, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain, and cancer. Results from these trials, expected between 2026 and 2028, will provide additional evidence to inform regulatory decisions and clinical practice. The anticancer research published in May 2026 may catalyze increased funding for veterinary oncology studies examining CBD as an adjunct to conventional chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute's Comparative Oncology Program, which studies naturally occurring cancers in companion animals, has not yet funded CBD research but could represent a future funding source for rigorous clinical trials. Professional veterinary organizations including the AVMA and American Animal Hospital Association are expected to update their cannabis policies in 2026-2027 as additional evidence accumulates. These updates may provide more specific guidance on appropriate clinical use, documentation practices, and client communication. The pet CBD market is projected to continue growing at 15-20% annually through 2028, driven by consumer demand and increasing product availability. This growth will likely occur regardless of regulatory developments, as enforcement remains minimal and consumer awareness increases. However, a major adverse event involving pet CBD products could trigger increased FDA enforcement or state-level restrictions. Pharmaceutical companies may enter the veterinary CBD market if the FDA provides regulatory clarity or if state-level markets become large enough to justify development costs. The approval of a prescription veterinary CBD drug would establish quality standards and dosing protocols that could influence the broader market, similar to how Epidiolex's approval affected human CBD products. The intersection of veterinary cannabis policy with broader federal cannabis reform efforts remains uncertain. If Congress enacts comprehensive cannabis legalization or rescheduling, the implications for veterinary medicine would depend on specific statutory language regarding FDA authority, veterinary prescribing, and hemp-derived products. Stakeholders anticipate that veterinary provisions would likely be addressed separately from human medical cannabis frameworks due to distinct regulatory considerations.

Further Reading

• Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill), Public Law 115-334, full text at https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2
• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., available at https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title21/chapter9&edition=prelim
• FDA Statement on Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products (December 2018), https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products
• American Veterinary Medical Association Cannabis Policy, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/cannabis-use-animals
• California Assembly Bill 2215 (2019), full text at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2215
• Nevada Senate Bill 398 (2020), full text at https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6849/Overview
• Gamble et al., "Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs," Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2018), https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165
• McGrath et al., "Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy," Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2019), https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.11.1301
• National Animal Supplement Council Quality Seal Program, https://nasc.cc/quality-program/
• Veterinary Cannabis Society Educational Resources, https://www.vetcannabissociety.org
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Cannabis Research, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/cbd-oil-dogs
• FDA Warning Letters to CBD Companies, searchable database at https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters