How to use cannabis with your pet in Humboldt

Our lives are entwined with theirs, our world and their world swirled together long ago. When we see our pets anxious, or losing appetite, or in pain, we take care of them with a heart full of love. If you want to use cannabis safely with your pet in Humboldt, follow these steps.

1. Identify your pet’s condition for which you think cannabis might be helpful. Common conditions include pain, nausea, anxiety, epilepsy and cancer.

2. Be informed about cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis and they interact with your pet’s endocannabinoid system—a central regulatory system that affects bodily processes such as sleep, mood and digestion. There are at least 113 cannabinoids in cannabis, most notably THC and CBD. CBD (cannabidiol) is the part of the plant with NO psychoactive properties, only medicinal properties. Your pet cannot get high from CBD.  On the other hand, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the part of the plant with psychoactive properties, and there are medicinal properties to THC as well. Because pets have so many more cannabinoid receptors in their brains and bodies than humans, very small doses will affect them profoundly. While THC products may have potential benefits, there’s insufficient scientific basis to make qualified recommendations. Products containing THC are best avoided for pets at this time.

3. Talk to your vet. Vets cannot prescribe cannabis or make recommendations, but they can provide education. Don’t be shy, vets want to know. “In our practice we make a habit of asking what products caregivers are using, how much is being administered, and what effects are noticed. We want to expand our knowledge base,” notes Sarah Green of Healing Spirit Animal Wellness Center in Eureka.

4. Go to a licensed dispensary (CApotcheck.com) to buy your cannabis product. Outside of dispensaries, there’s a flood of products that claim to be designed for pets. But many of these products don’t contain adequate doses of CBD, and they may contain dangerous levels of chemicals and pesticides. Products carried in licensed dispensaries in California must have compliance test results, so you know that any product is safe in terms of potency and contaminants. 

5. Consider tinctures. “Customers report that tinctures are good because you can control the dosage, and it’s not a new ‘treat’ but rather something added to existing food,” says Bryan Willkomm of Humboldt Patient Resource Center (HPRC).

6. Buy organic. Unlike traditional agricultural regions impacted by heavy metals in the soil, Humboldt is home to hundreds of craft farms that grow plants organically and sustainably. Choose Humboldt cannabis for a safe, organic product.

7. Choose a tincture that was safely extracted. CO2 and alcohol are the safest extraction techniques--other methods may leave behind residual chemicals that can be toxic to your pet. A good choice is Humboldt Apothecary’s ‘Pet CBD’ made using a cold ethanol wash.

8. Keep a journal. You’ll want to note when you give your pet cannabis, at what dosage, and what effects you notice.

9 Start slow and low. For example, if a tincture’s recommended dosage is a half dropper, start with just 1 drop. Wait about 2 hours before serving again. A study published by Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in July 2018 found a dose 2 mg/ kg of body weight (about 45 mg for a 50 lb. dog) given twice a day to be effective in helping dogs with pain from osteoarthritis.

10. Store your product in a cool dark place out of your pet’s reach.

11. If your pet appears to be affected by too much cannabis, rest and hydration are recommended.

How to buy safe, high-quality CBD in Humboldt County

7-minute read

Does your body go off-balance due to chronic stress? Modern life and diet can cause deficiencies in our system. How do you reset it? A balanced lifestyle including exercise and a healthy diet are key, and CBD in small, regular amounts can be helpful for some.

Here’s how to buy safe, high-quality CBD in Humboldt County. And read on for more discussion on the topic.

How to buy CBD in Humboldt

1. Go to a licensed dispensary (licensed dispensaries are listed at CApotcheck.com). Products carried in licensed dispensaries in California must have compliance test results, so you know that any product is safe in terms of potency and contaminants.

2. Ask the consultant at the dispensary for a product high on CBD and low on THC to help with managing a specific health issue--pain, sleep, inflammation, etc.

3. Tinctures  or salves are a good product to start with, dosage can be easily adjusted. Ask for dosage recommendations.

4. Is the product extracted from Humboldt County-grown cannabis? Humboldt cannabis farmers have decades of experience growing superior quality cannabis organically and sustainably. You will also support local families of farmers.

5. Is the CBD extract full-spectrum, i.e. coming from the whole plant? Full-spectrum CBD extracts have exponential therapeutic effects whereas effects from single-molecule CBD extracts have been shown to hit a peak and then drop off.

What is CBD? CBD is short for canabidiol , one of the many natural compounds found in cannabis. Both hemp CBD and cannabis CBD come from the same mother plant, Cannabis Sativa. The difference is one of designation based on the amount of THC contained in the plant. If the plant has more than 0.3% THC, it’s called cannabis. If it has less than 0.3% THC, it’s called hemp and the amount of THC is small enough to be considered nonexistent. The CBD compound has no psychoactive effect.

CBD and other cannabinoids interact with our internal Endocannabinoid System (ECS) which is largely responsible for homeostasis and regulates inflammatory responses in the body. “CBD works by mimicking the ECS molecules that regulate the immune system and the nervous system. It’s effective at reducing pain, anxiety and other health issues,” explains Gretchen Miller, co-owner of Kiskanu with her husband Jason. Their Eureka-based business manufactures craft, small-batch skin and body products. “Our production starts with sourcing cannabis from local organic farms,” notes Gretchen.

Similarly, Humboldt Apothecary has an absolute commitment to buying their cannabis exclusively from small farms in the county. “Here in Humboldt, we are fortunate to have the best-quality cannabis anywhere in the world,” explains Gillian Levy, co-founder of the business which manufactures tinctures and topicals. It’s not only important to start with the best plant material, but for CBD to be most effective, it’s also key to produce extracts out of the whole plant.  Some CBD products are manufactured from isolates, or 100% pure CBD, and all the other compounds of the plant have been stripped away. By contrast, full-spectrum CBD include the plant’s naturally occuring terpenes and phytocannabinoids which have been shown to help in bioavailability meaning that the the body can better absorb and make use of the CBD. In an ideal world, consumers get the synergistic effect of full-spectrum products manufactured from the whole plant.

In terms of product safety, the CBD industry is largely unregulated and products labeled ‘CBD’ in stores may not match label ingredients or compliance. The surest way to buy a safe, fully-tested CBD product is to obtain it from a licensed dispensary, of which there are many in Humboldt County.