Company gets patent on marijuana patch for pets, but are they safe?
flickr photo courtesy of saxcubano
Advances in veterinary medicine parallel much of what is done where humans are concerned — and it's all pretty amazing.
Despite the differences in our physiology and the way that things are handled, pets can benefit from using many of the same principles that are applied to humans.
Addressing pain in both companion animals and humans has come a long way, as I have written in the past. The use of massage, new medications, acupuncture and hydrotherapy have gained popularity, and according to some pets owners, provided good results, just as they have with people.
With medical marijuana dispensaries gaining popularity across the country, it's probably no surprise that a there would be someone willing to market cannabis to be used for pets.
A businessman in Washington state is touting the potential benefits of his company's marijuana patch, called Tetracan, for addressing pets' medical problems, like pain.
Jim Alekson, along with partners Chester Soliz and Walter Cristobal — developer of the patch — hope to have it ready for marketing by the end of 2011. The three men formed their company, Medical Marijuana Delivery Systems, in 2010 and currently have a patent on the patch.
Is the patch safe? That remains unclear. Much of the information that can be found on marijuana and pets has more to do with poisoning and the like, and there's no word from professional veterinary organizations.
Read more here about the patch in a recent article in the Daily Mail by clicking here.
How do you feel about the use of drugs like this? Leave your comments below and take the poll:
Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com. Connect with her on Google+ or e-mail her directly.
Comments
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Dude, where's my beagle!
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
I would not hesitate to use such a pet on my pets if I thought it could be beneficial to them. We are talking about marijuana after all. It has been proven to be a very safe drug.
Hmm
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
Seeing as one cannot overdose on cannabis and it is safer to use than aspirin or alcohol, I can't see what harm could come about from trying this patch on your pet.
Ron Granger
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
"Yo Fido. Don't bogart that patch, dude!"
Lee Prew
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 11:51 a.m.
LOL! This situation gets more strange by the day. Well if a qualified veterinarian suggests using something and explains the benefits and risks involved why would you ignore their advice unless you have a ill-informed preconception about medicinal marijuana. And who could blame you if you did due to the mixed messages coming from the federal government 'Of no medicinal benefit!' yet pharmaceutical companies have already produced some marijuana based applications for humans and potentially now for man's best friend!! Sheesh!
Hmm
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
Great comment Lee!