Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine: Cannabinoid Therapies for Animals

The use of cannabis for animal species is an area of growing interest, largely due to the therapeutic benefits being observed for humans and animals in the era of cannabis legalization. The close relationship humans have with their pets and other veterinary species has led to a renewed interest in the possibility and promise of cannabis to treat similar health issues in the animal community. This chapter explores the literature available on cannabis, its interactions with the endocannabinoid system, and how animal species interact with various formulations and cannabis treatments. A brief overview of the biology, chemistry, and history of cannabis is discussed with the relevance to veterinary species in mind. The pharmacologically active components are discussed with both anecdotal and objective, evidence-based, and clinical data.