A team of Canadian scientists believe they’ve found the secret to helping prevent and treat COVID-19: cannabis.
A study conducted by the University of Lethbridge found that 13 varieties of marijuana plants can stop the virus from traveling through a body’s ACE2 pathways, which allow the coronavirus to infect a person. It does so by blocking proteins that help the virus enter host cells, according to the study.
Researcher Igor Kovalchuk says cannabis could reduce the coronavirus’ entry points by 70 percent or more. “Our work could have a huge influence,” he says. “There aren’t many drugs that have the potential of reducing infection by 70 to 80 percent. Therefore, you have more chance to fight it.”
Will these findings help in the quest to make recreational marijuana legal in all 50 states?