Medical Marijuana Might Actually Be Legalized To Treat Pets In Nevada

The unique healing power of marijuana may finally reach the animal kingdom.

According to the Huffington Post, Nevada's legislature was presented a bill on Tuesday that would grant residents permission to buy marijuana for pets as long as it is recommended by a veterinarian.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Tick Segerblom, a Democrat, who admits he is a bit worried about marijuana possibly yielding negative side effects.

But he told the Associated Press,

You don't know until you try.

Fellow Democratic senator Mark Manendo is an animal rights advocate who fears that, like chocolate and alcohol, marijuana could also prove extremely harmful for dogs.

He remembers the pain of watching his own dog die when he was 15 but said,

 I don't know if I would've given him marijuana.

The original version of the bill set out to abolish punishments for drivers who test positive for marijuana and the training currently needed to run a marijuana dispensary.

A voter later persuaded Segerblom to put in the part about marijuana for pets.

Several veterinarians have praised marijuana as an effective treatment for very ill pets, but there is no scientific evidence that marijuana is as medically beneficial for animals as it can be for humans.

In 2013, however, Los Angeles veterinarian Doug Kramer revealed to the Associated Press marijuana extended the lifespan of his dying Siberian Husky by an extra six weeks.

Marijuana brought back the dog's appetite, he said, so she could gain weight after having numerous tumors taken out.

Kramer said at the time,

I grew tired of euthanizing pets when I wasn't doing everything I could to make their lives better. I felt like I was letting them down.

Segerblom's bill has only been proposed, so the chances of it becoming a law remain unknown.

Citations: Nevada Bill Would Allow Medical Marijuana For Sick Pets (The Huffington Post)