This bill is part of the 2019 Cannabis Bills section of our ongoing update on California Cannabis Legislation – see the full California Cannabis Law Legislative Update which includes information on cannabis bills from other years.
SB 627 (Galgiani D) Medicinal cannabis and medicinal cannabis products: veterinary medicine.
The California Uniform Controlled Substances Act classifies controlled substances into 5 designated schedules, and places cannabis and cannabis products under Schedule I. The act prohibits prescribing, administering, dispensing, or furnishing a controlled substance to or for any person or animal, unless otherwise specified.
The Veterinary Medicine Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine by the Veterinary Medical Board, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The act authorizes the board to revoke or suspend the license of a person to practice veterinary medicine, or to assess a fine, for specified causes, including discussing medicinal cannabis with a client while the veterinarian is employed by, or has an agreement with, a MAUCRSA licensee and distributing advertising for cannabis in California. The act prohibits the board from disciplining a licensed veterinarian solely for discussing the use of cannabis on an animal for medicinal purposes, absent negligence or incompetence. The act requires the board, on or before January 1, 2020, to adopt guidelines for veterinarians to follow when discussing cannabis within the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. The act prohibits a licensed veterinarian from dispensing or administering cannabis or cannabis products to an animal patient. The act makes a violation of its provisions a crime.
This bill would repeal the provision prohibiting a licensed veterinarian from dispensing or administering cannabis or cannabis products to an animal patient, and would, instead, authorize a qualified veterinarian, as defined, to discuss the use of, and issue a recommendation for the use of, medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis products on an animal patient for any condition for which cannabis or cannabis products provide relief. The bill would require the recommendation to include, at a minimum, the condition for which the recommendation is issued and the name of the animal patient and the primary caregiver, as defined. The bill would prohibit a qualified veterinarian who makes a recommendation under these provisions from being punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis products for an animal patient for medical purposes, except as provided, and would provide that a qualified veterinarian who makes a recommendation pursuant to these provisions is entitled to the same protections as a physician and surgeon under the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The bill would prohibit a qualified veterinarian from advertising that the qualified veterinarian offers recommendations for medicinal cannabis. Because a violation of that prohibition would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would provide that a qualified veterinarian may, but is not required to, follow the guidelines adopted by the board when discussing cannabis within the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Read more about California Cannabis Legislation – see the full California Cannabis Law Legislative Update.
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