US: Proposal to legalize medical marijuana for pets

Unwell pets should be granted access to medical marijuana –that's what a Nevada lawmaker has proposed to be reinstated as a bill in the state legislature on 17 March.

Senator Tick Segerblom, a Democrat, is sponsoring the bill that would enable owners of sickly pets the right to obtain medical marijuana, provided their veterinarians confirm the drug, "may mitigate the symptoms or effects" of a chronic or debilitating medical condition.

Segerblom said despite being concerned that certain species might have an adverse reaction to the drug, "you don't know if you don't try."

Mark Manendo, another Nevada senator and animal rights campaigner, has opposed the bill saying legalizing medical marijuana for pets could present safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles vet, Doug Kramer, said marijuana helped relieve his Siberian husky's pain in her final weeks following a surgery to remove her tumours.

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

Kramer said the drug helped extend his dog's life by six weeks before she had to be put down.

The proposed bill also addresses provisions related to the use of medical marijuana amongst humans with new regulations proposing training for cannabis dispensaries, reported Reuters.

Penalties are also proposed to be dropped for motorists who are found driving under the influence of marijuana.

The bill proposal comes as a growing number of US states have legalized laws around the drug.

Nevada is one amongst 23 US states where medical marijuana has now been legalized.

Recreational use of marijuana is also legalized in four states and Washington D.C.

According to a Reuters poll, public opinion has shifted in recent years with an estimated 46 per cent of Americans now in support of a full legalization of marijuana.