Unleashing Cannabis Information for Consumers, Licensees, and Pets

A laptop and a recliner, or even just a smart phone: That’s all you need to access the easy website tutorials from the Bureau of Cannabis Control thanks to its recently launched “Video Tutorials” center at www.bcc.ca.gov.

Just click on the “Video Tutorials” icon listed at the top of the welcome page. This is the gateway to instructional videos for navigating the website, filing a complaint, checking a license, account registration and management, applying for a license (retailers, distributors, testing labs, microbusinesses, and event organizers) and paying fees.

BTW, you don’t need to submit your contact information to file a complaint. The bureau accepts complaints about either licensed or unlicensed activities against cannabis retailers, distributors, testing labs, microbusinesses and event organizers. Complaints against cultivators need to be filed with the California Department of Food and Agriculture Calcannabis Cultivation Licensing division. Complaints against manufacturers of cannabis products must be filed with the California Department of Public Health’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch.

Consumers can find the bureau’s online license search system by clicking the “Check a License” link located under the “Licensees & Consumers” tab on the home page. This easy-to-access license search gives consumers the ability to check and see which cannabis businesses have been issued a state license by the bureau. The custom search settings can be adjusted to view a license by its type and/or location. The location settings include options to search by street, city, county, and zip code.

In addition, PDF Quick Reference Guides explain how to search for licenses, apply for a license, get help if you’ve forgotten your password, transition from a temporary to an annual license, pay online and more.

While you’re on the website, check out the bureau’s calendar of events—you’ll find dates for the bureau’s Cannabis Advisory Committee scheduled through November 2018.

For additional cannabis information and resources from other state agencies, visit the California Cannabis Portal at www.cannabis.ca.gov.

Pets and pot

The medicinal use of cannabis on animals has been much debated lately, as there have been claims pets receive the same benefits from medical cannabis as humans. California’s Veterinary Medical Board is looking into the issue, but in the meantime, current California law only makes it legal for human patients and their designated primary caregivers to possess and cultivate cannabis for their personal medical use with the recommendation or approval of a California-licensed physician or surgeon. In addition, the recently passed Proposition 64 legalizes cannabis under state law for use by adults 21 or older. There is nothing in California law that would allow a veterinarian to prescribe, recommend, approve, or distribute cannabis for treating animals and veterinarians are in violation of California law if they are incorporating cannabis into their practices.

According to Canine Journal,^® some people are administering medical cannabis to their dogs on their own, while some pot shops are even selling dog treats laced with pot. The journal also reports that different types of cannabis oil have similar effects on dogs as they do on humans including increased appetite and decreased nausea, while medical cannabis has reportedly provided dogs relief for arthritis and other ailments as well.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of research, effectiveness and proper dosage amounts for animals is unclear, so administering cannabis yourself can be dangerous.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, cannabis is poisonous to cats and dogs, and the level of toxicity can be moderate to severe. Sometimes pets get into their owners’ stash—no dosing here, just devouring. If your dog has eaten cannabis, you should call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435. The ingestion of too much cannabis can be life threatening. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Severe depression
• Walking drunk
• Lethargy
• Coma
• Low heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Respiratory depression
• Dilated pupils
• Coma
• Hyperactivity
• Vocalization
• Seizures