Maryland Law Protecting Veterinarians Who Discuss or Recommend Marijuana for Animals Takes Effect Thursday, October 1
- Starting October 1, Maryland veterinarians will be legally protected from disciplinary action solely for discussing or recommending marijuana or CBD products for animals' health benefits.
- House Bill 452, signed by Governor Wes Moore, restricts the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from penalizing veterinarians based on conversations or recommendations involving marijuana or CBD products.
- The law covers both marijuana and cannabidiol products used for therapeutic or health supplementation but does not authorize veterinarians to dispense or prescribe marijuana.
- The legislation, paired with Senate Bill 54, clarifies protections for veterinarians while maintaining other grounds for professional discipline, such as gross negligence or incompetence.
Maryland veterinarians will gain new legal protections Thursday, October 1, when a law shielding them from professional discipline solely for discussing or recommending marijuana or CBD products for animals takes effect.
Governor Wes Moore signed House Bill 452 into law April 14. The measure restricts the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from suspending or revoking a veterinarian’s license, issuing a reprimand or censure, or placing a licensee on probation solely because of those conversations or recommendations.
The protections apply when the products are discussed or recommended for an animal’s potential therapeutic benefit or health supplementation. They cover both marijuana, as defined under Maryland law, and products containing cannabidiol (CBD).
The change gives veterinarians clearer protection when speaking with animal owners about these products. Its scope includes recommendations, rather than only general discussions.
However, the law does not establish a veterinary marijuana dispensing program or grant new prescribing authority. It specifically addresses the veterinary board’s disciplinary powers, while retaining other grounds for action, including gross negligence and professional incompetence.
The legislation was paired with Senate Bill 54, sponsored by Senator Clarence Lam. That measure also received the governor’s approval and carries the same October 1 effective date.