Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s plan to ban animal health supplements containing hemp and CBD have some pet owners and businesses claiming it’s a very ruff deal.
While widely available in the state for some years, the Department intends to stop the sale of such products beginning November 1, 2022. Apparently, the ISDA believes the products are considered adulterated at state and federal levels.
Pet business Bark n’ Purr Boise is among those vigorously opposing the ban.
“This decision will likely harm animals whose owners will no longer be able to access the products their pets rely on for a variety of health and wellness reasons,” it states. “It will also have a serious economic impact on Idaho businesses that manufacture and sell these products.”
The firm has also warned of the ban resulting in increased black market activity, with products of dubious quality presenting a threat to pet welfare; or pet owners being pushed to using more expensive prescription products.
The business has set up a petition on Change.org appealing to Governor of Idaho Brad Little to step in; urging him to delay any enforcement to remove dosage form CBD pet products until the next legislative session in 2023 in order to allow for appropriate consultation on the issue.
At the time of writing, the petition had attracted 784 signatures. One signatory commented:
“This is yet another example of inchoate and fatuous governmental overreach.”
Another said:
“We need options in treating our pets. CBD oil has given my senior dog a pain free life without taking drugs that would on the long term damage his liver.”
As well as the petition, a rally has been planned for Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Bark n’ Purr Boise’s premises.
The use of CBD for pets has become increasingly common in the USA for managing or treating a range of conditions including anxiety and arthritis. While CBD appears to be generally well tolerated by dogs when used appropriately, veterinary supervision is wise. Far more research needs to be done on CBD use in pets to better define its potential benefits and negative impacts.
