The text of the law recognizes that octopuses are “highly intelligent, curious, problem-solving animals” that are conscious, sentient and experience “pain, stress, and fear, as well as pleasure, equanimity, and social bonds.” It goes on to note that in research studies, these eight-legged marine invertebrates have demonstrated long-term memory as well as the ability to recognize individual people.

At the very least, this sets a precedent, although it’s pretty obvious based on the law’s text that octopodes being the target here instead of or in addition to e.g. pigs which are known to be quite intelligent is a clear example of doublethink. Nonetheless, this is a huge win for just leaving animals the fuck alone.