Maryland is on track to become the fifth state in the country to formally protect veterinarians who discuss cannabis and CBD products with pet owners, after both chambers of the state legislature gave the measure unanimous approval.
The House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 54 on April 7 with a 137-0 vote. The Senate had already cleared the bill 45-0 on March 19. It now awaits the signature of Governor Wes Moore.
The legislation would prohibit the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from disciplining licensed veterinarians solely for discussing or recommending marijuana or CBD products for an animal’s therapeutic benefit or health supplementation. Protected actions include conversations about using hemp-derived products to address pain, anxiety, and inflammation in pets. The bill does not mandate that veterinarians recommend such products, nor does it establish a new veterinary cannabis program.
If signed, the law would take effect October 1, 2026. Maryland would join California, Nevada, Michigan, and Utah in passing specific veterinary cannabis protections.
The bill arrives as the CBD pet market continues its rapid expansion. A February 2026 market analysis from Precedence Research valued the global CBD pet sector at approximately $577 million in 2026, with projections reaching $5.5 billion by 2034 — a compound annual growth rate of 32.5 percent. Dogs remain the largest consumer segment, while cats represent the fastest-growing category.
Industry observers have noted that fear of professional consequences has long prevented veterinarians from engaging in open conversations about CBD with pet owners, even as consumer use of pet CBD products has grown substantially. Legislation like Maryland’s aims to close that gap by removing the threat of licensing action.
For pet owners researching CBD options, [CBDpet.com](https://cbdpet.com) offers guidance on veterinarian-recommended, lab-tested pet CBD products.
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Sources: The Marijuana Herald, “Maryland Legislature Unanimously Approves Bill Protecting Veterinarians Who Discuss and Recommend Marijuana for Animals” (Apr 2026); Marijuana Moment, “Maryland Bill To Protect Veterinarians Who Recommend Medical Marijuana For Pets Heads To Governor’s Desk”; GlobeNewsWire/Precedence Research, “CBD Pet Market Projected Increase” (Feb 6, 2026).
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