According to Cannabis researchers in Canada, cannabis may provide resistance to SARS-CoV-2, also known as Covid19 or Coronavirus. This finding is part of wide research taking place in the search for the cure for cancer using the medicinal plant. As no cure for Covid19 has yet to be found, researchers all over the world are looking at less conventional ways to address this lethal offender. Current drug, like remdesivir, developed to treat Ebola, are all part of the traditional biomedical repertoire. But in Canada, preliminary research hints to certain strains of cannabis which may increase resistance to the Covid19. The study was held by scientists at the University of Lethbridge, in Alberta. Although results have not yet undergone peer review at the time of this writing, Dr. Igor Kovalchuck, a professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, has been quoted as saying: “The results on COVID-19 came from our studies on arthritis, Crohn’s disease, cancer and others.” The Alberta-based researchers have focused on the Sativa strain of the plant which has high anti-inflammatory cannabinoid properties. CBD is one of the other main chemicals in cannabis (the most common one is THC, which has psychoactive effects). “Our varieties are high in CBD, or balanced CBD/ THC, because you can give a higher dose and people will not be impaired due to the psychoactive properties of THC,” says Kovalchuck.
About one dozen out of over 400 strains studied by the researchers, so far, seem to show promising results. “A number of them have reduced the number of these (virus) receptors by 73 per cent, the chance of it getting in is much lower,” said Kovalchuk. The study under Health Canada licence using artificial human 3-D tissue models has been seeking ways to hinder the highly contagious novel coronavirus from finding a host in the lungs, intestines, and oral cavity. However, there is a lack of funding for further clinical trials, typical of the cannabis industry, so we will just have to wait and see. The Canadian Laws Group continues to help foreign Cannabis companies expand to Canada, so please reach out if you have questions.
