As more states legalize marijuana, veterinarians are seeing more reports of marijuana poisoning among pets.
In Massachusetts, for example, numerous edible marijuana products hit the market when the drug was legalized, and in some cases pets have consumed them, Wicked Local reports.
One veterinarian, Dr. Kiko Bracker, said it’s typical to see several such cases a week. Recreational marijuana use became legal in Massachusetts in 2016.
The increase in Massachusetts reflects a trend that’s also occurring elsewhere, especially in other states that have legalized marijuana.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that there were 1,800 marijuana-related emergency calls in 2018. Ten years earlier, there were only 208.
Pets that ingest marijuana can experience symptoms such as sleepiness, vomiting and depression, Wicked Local reports. Death is possible, but rare.
Bracker explained that the symptoms are similar to what a human experiences, but that in many cases the pet is ingesting a relatively higher dose given its lower body weight.
Read more at the Wicked Local