Medicinal cannabis products
What ‘products’ are available for vets to prescribe?
At the moment there aren’t any off-the-shelf options.
There are dozens of medicinal cannabis products registered with the TGA for human use.
There are currently no such products registered with the AVPMA for veterinary use. Vets are legally allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis, but we are prescribing ‘unregistered’ products.
All unregistered medical cannabis products in Australia must be written as a private prescription.
According to the AVMPA website, it’s not that they won’t register a medicinal cannabis product, it’s that they have not yet received any applications to do so. This may change, but in the meantime:
We are generally referring to compounded CBD when we talk about veterinary medicinal cannabis products.
Until recently, most veterinary products have only contained CBD (CBD isolate). Increasingly, we are using more of the plant spectrum and we now also have full spectrum and broad spectrum options.
Note: While doctors might seem to have an advantage by having lots of registered products to choose from for their patients, their legal prescribing pathways are much more complex than ours.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is the most refined form of CBD available, resulting from the extraction and purification of the hemp or cannabis plant to remove all other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, and plant components.
Benefits
Consistency in dosing: The high purity of CBD isolate ensures a standardised amount of CBD, potentially allowing for more predictable dosing and therapeutic outcomes.
Absence of THC: The lack of THC eliminates concerns over potential psychoactive effects in animals.
Taste: Being tasteless and odorless, CBD isolate can be advantageous for administration to discerning or sensitive animals, as it can be incorporated seamlessly into their diets or medications.
Limitations
Absence of the entourage effect: One of the primary drawbacks of CBD isolate is the lack of the entourage effect. This term refers to the synergistic interplay of all the cannabis compounds when taken together, which many believe enhances the therapeutic properties of each.
Lacks beneficial compounds: Alongside CBD, the hemp plant contains a variety of other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These compounds can offer additional health benefits. By using only the isolate, we miss out on the potential benefits of these compounds.
Requires higher doses: Some studies suggest that CBD isolate might require higher doses to achieve the same efficacy levels as full-spectrum products due to the lack of the entourage effect.
Broad spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is derived from the hemp or cannabis plant and contains a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial plant compounds. What sets it apart from full-spectrum CBD is the intentional removal of THC, ensuring it's non-psychoactive.
Benefits
Entourage effect without THC: Broad-spectrum CBD retains the majority of the cannabis plant's beneficial compounds, allowing animals to potentially benefit from the entourage effect without the risks associated with THC exposure.
Reduced THC toxicity concerns: Given the heightened sensitivity of many animals to THC, using broad-spectrum CBD alleviates concerns over potential THC-induced adverse reactions.
Varied terpenes and cannabinoids: The presence of multiple cannabinoids and terpenes can offer a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, from anti-inflammatory properties to potential anxiety relief, providing a holistic approach.
Limitations
Lack of standardisation: Broad-spectrum products may vary in their constituent profile depending on the extraction method and the source plant. This can lead to inconsistencies in therapeutic outcomes across different products or batches. It is important to work with a compounding pharmacy that quality assures their products.
Palatability: While some animals might accept broad-spectrum CBD readily, others might dislike its ‘earthy’ taste, which can differ based on the compounds present.
Full spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD encompasses the entire range of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial phytochemicals found in the hemp or cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC.
Benefits
The entourage effect: Full-spectrum CBD is renowned for facilitating the entourage effect. This refers to the synergistic interplay of the cannabis plant's compounds, wherein their combined therapeutic benefits can exceed their individual effects, providing a comprehensive treatment approach.
Wide therapeutic window: The array of compounds present in full-spectrum CBD means it can potentially address multiple conditions simultaneously, from pain and inflammation to anxiety, benefiting from the various properties of each constituent.
Natural plant profile: Using full-spectrum CBD ensures that animals receive a product that mirrors the natural composition of the cannabis plant, which appeals to many owners.
Limitations
Presence of THC: While the THC levels in full-spectrum CBD are below the psychoactive threshold for humans, some animals (mainly dogs) are particularly sensitive to THC. This necessitates cautious dosing and monitoring to prevent potential THC-induced adverse reactions.
Regulatory and legal considerations: Vets are only legally allowed to prescribe CBD medicinal cannabis products that have ≤2% THC in them.
Variable palatability: The complex profile of full-spectrum CBD can result in an off-putting smell and taste for some pets, potentially making it harder to give. The offset of this is that we can often use smaller doses with full spectrum products.
Quick overview