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U.K. Veterinary Authorities – ‘Barking Up The Wrong Tree’

veterinary cbd
Written by Peter McCusker

Veterinary authorities in the U.K. have been left with their tails between their legs following unsuccessful moves to regulate CBD products for dogs and other pets.

Just over a year ago – on September 14, 2018 – The U.K. Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) issued a strong warning to makers of CBD products supplying the nation’s army of animal lovers.

Mustering full majesty in their role as protectors of the health and welfare of the nation’s animal kingdom they issued the following: “We consider that veterinary products containing Cannabidiol (CBD) are veterinary medicines and should be regulated as such.” 

They continued: “CBD products for use in animals therefore now require a marketing authorisation before they can be sold or supplied in the UK. 


Not One Application

“There are currently no CBD based products that have been granted a UK veterinary marketing authorization.” It went on to say that it would provide ‘regulatory guidance’ for companies wishing to provide CBD products ‘apply for a marketing authorisation’.

But, one year on, British newspaper The Sunday Times reported the VMD as saying it had ‘not received a single application for a marketing authorisation, whilst re-stating that ‘no CBD-infused pet product is currently legal in Britain’.

This is not proving to be a deterrent to many companies who continue to provide a wide range of CBD products for the nation’s pets. And according to research by New Frontier Data U.S. pet-and-animal product sales are continued to grow at to reach $125 million by 2022, making them one the fastest-growing sectors in the global CBD market.

CCBD ‘Cured’ Dog’s Cancer

In fact the latest company to enter the market is recent London stock market entrant Cannaray, as we reported earlier in CBD Testers. In a company market statement its CEO Scott Maguire said he had became involved in the industry after using CBD to successfully treat his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, called Bozy, in its successful battle with terminal cancer.

The company says Bozy was ‘diagnosed with stage five liver lymphoma at only nine months old in August 2018, and given just two days to two weeks to live by a leading vet in Berne, Switzerland’. “After administering cannabis derived products twice daily Bozy’s appetite came back, his quality of sleep improved, and he is still alive today,” said the company said in some marketing publication. 

However, it’s fair to say that in acknowledging the benefits of CBD in helping in the treatment our pets the VMD have gone a step further than the medical authorities responsible for human welfare. But, in this instance the U.K veterinary authorities’ efforts to impose regulations on the industry, seem to have left them barking up the wrong tree.

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About the author

Peter McCusker

Peter McCusker is an experienced news and business editor, who believes it’s time to fully embrace the multiple, proven, medical benefits of the cannabis plant.