One of the leading American veterinary organizations recently announced its support for rescheduling cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) approved a resolution next month to begin advocating to reduce cannabis from a Schedule I substance to Schedule II. The move would increase research opportunities for the medical use of cannabis in both animals and humans.

Schedule I substances are considered highly addictive with no known medical value under the Controlled Substances Act. By moving cannabis to Schedule II, the plant would be recognized as a substance which has a potential for abuse but still contains medical properties.

In a press release, the organization said veterinarians are not legally able to prescribe or research medical cannabis in animals as long as the plant remains federally illegal.

“We are definitely seeing an increase in toxicity cases,” said Dr. Dick Sullivan at the Veterinary Information Forum in July. “For that reason alone, we need research and our national association to write a letter or petition the FDA to allow us to do research and get good information to our clients because they are asking us, and our obligation, morally and ethically, is to address these cases.”