The Veterinary Medicine Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of veterinarians and the practice of veterinary medicine by the Veterinary Medical Board, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. That act authorizes the board to revoke or suspend the license of a person to practice veterinary medicine for specified causes and authorizes the board to assess a fine for specified causes, including, but not limited to, unprofessional conduct.

The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA), among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities, and states that it is the intent of MAUCRSA to control and regulate the cultivation, distribution, transport, storage, manufacturing, processing, and sale of both medicinal cannabis and medicinal cannabis products for patients with a valid physician recommendation and adult-use cannabis and adult-use cannabis products for adults 21 years of age and over.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to require the Veterinary Medical Board to establish guidelines for licensed veterinarians to discuss the use of cannabis on animal patient clients and to protect state-licensed veterinarians from disciplinary action for discussing the use of cannabis on animal patient clients.