The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has adopted regulations permitting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of animal cannabis products.
Animal cannabis products are subject to all of the same requirements as existing cannabis products intended for human consumption, except that animal cannabis products may not contain more than 1 mg of total THC per package and are limited to edible cannabis products, orally consumed concentrates, and topical cannabis products.
Pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 26001(a), cannabis products intended for use on, or consumption by, animals may be made available only within the adult-use market by adult-use licensees. Animal cannabis products may be sold only to persons 21 years of age or older.
What can be sold as animal cannabis products?
An “animal cannabis product” is a cannabis product intended for use on or consumption by animals. Animal cannabis products may not be used on or consumed by food animals as defined in BPC section 4825.1 or livestock as defined in Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) section 14205.
- BPC section 4825.1: “Food animal” means any animal that is raised for the production of an edible product intended for consumption by humans. The edible product includes, but is not limited to, milk, meat, and eggs. Food animal includes, but is not limited to, cattle (beef or dairy), swine, sheep, poultry, fish, and amphibian species.
- FAC section 14205: “Livestock” includes all animals, poultry, and bees, and aquatic and amphibian species which are raised, kept, or used for profit. It does not include those species which are usually kept as pets, such as dogs, cats, and pet birds.
The following types of products may be sold as animal cannabis products:
- Edible cannabis products
- Orally consumed concentrates
- Topical cannabis products
A product not defined in California Code of Regulations (CCR) title 4 section 15000 as an edible cannabis product, orally consumed concentrate, or topical cannabis product may not be sold as an animal cannabis product. This includes things like kief, vapes, flower, pre-rolls, suppositories, and inhaled concentrates (e.g., dab, shatter, and wax).
Additional information
THC potency limit
An animal cannabis product may not contain more than one milligram of total THC per package. “Total THC” means the sum of THC, delta 8 THC, and THCA. DCC is committed to evidence-based policymaking. Current scientific research does not demonstrate the safety of high-THC products for animals. This threshold is designed to reduce the potential for adverse effects, ensuring safe and responsible use. There are no potency restrictions on other cannabinoids, such as CBD.
Additional information
Manufacturing
In accordance with existing law, prior to manufacturing an animal cannabis product, a licensee authorized to manufacture cannabis products must:
- Develop or update standard operating procedures as necessary to include the manufacture of animal cannabis products.
- Develop or update a product quality plan pursuant to CCR, title 4, section 17214 and a master manufacturing protocol pursuant to CCR, title 4, section 17215 for the animal cannabis products that will be manufactured.
Additional information
Track and trace
When reporting activity involving an animal cannabis product in the track and trace system, licensees must identify the product as an “animal product” using the item category corresponding to the item type.
Ingredients
Please be aware that not all ingredients commonly used in human products are safe for animals. Some ingredients or extraction solvents, such as chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, butter, alcohol, glycerol and caffeine may not be appropriate for animals. Manufacturers should carefully research ingredients they plan to use, including any extraction solvents used in processing, in an animal cannabis product to ensure that those substances are not harmful to the animal for which the product is intended
Packaging and labeling
Licensees must follow all existing cannabis product packaging and labeling requirements.
