I am Gen X. I was raised in an era where responsibility was not optional. If you are an adult and you choose to smoke marijuana, that is your decision. But when it comes to service dogs, the line is absolute. Do not give it to your dog. Do not expose your dog to it casually. Do not treat it like a harmless joke.
Your service dog does not get a vote.
Dogs cannot evaluate risk. They cannot read medical journals. When you introduce marijuana or any recreational drug into their system, you are making a decision for them that they do not understand and cannot consent to.
THC is toxic to dogs. Canines possess a higher concentration of cannabinoid receptors in their brains than humans do. Even small amounts can result in ataxia, disorientation, vomiting, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. The American Veterinary Medical Association has been clear: state laws permitting marijuana for human use do not extend to animals. There are no FDA-approved cannabis products for dogs.
For service dogs, the stakes are even higher. These animals are working partners whose reliability can determine whether a handler remains upright, conscious, or safe. Any impairment introduces risk. A missed alert is not an inconvenience. It can mean the difference between intervention and collapse.
Your dog is not your smoking buddy. They are a trained partner who depends on you to maintain the conditions that allow them to perform. Keep them drug-free. Keep them sharp.
Strength stands watch.
And so do I.
Wendi Coffman-Porter Real handler, real stories, real dogs. FurPower.org