Advances in research have led to increased interest in the properties and potential of cannabis to treat many illnesses that have alluded modern medicine. Now, practitioners and consumers turn their attention to the role that it may play in the treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Special guests:

Jason Nelson | Senior Vice President, Horticulture

Marion McNabb, DrPH, MPH
Founder and President
Cannabis Center of Excellence, INC

The focus has been on the immune modulation and vascular effects of cannabis.1,2 As with any pharmacological treatment, the effects will depend on patient specifics and the stage of disease. To grasp the current state of research, CRx evaluates the weight of evidence and speaks with experts in the field of medicinal cannabis. When working with medicinal cannabis in the age of COVID-19, it may help to think in wo separate categories: COVID-19 naïve (cannabis use in a population that is not and has no record of having been infected by COVID-19) and acute COVID-19.

Can Using Cannabis Make People More Susceptible to COVID-19 Infection?
David Bearman, MD, executive vice president of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine and a certified cannabinoid medicine specialist, notes that it’s important to distinguish between adult and medicinal cannabis use.

Concerning adult use, Bearman would err on the side of caution and recommends people “take an herbal vacation until they’ve been successfully vaccinated.” If a person is using cannabis to relieve symptoms of a serious illness, such as cancer or epilepsy, Bearman believes it may be beneficial for some patients to continue treatment but makes it clear that “risk assessment for cannabis during the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be made in conjunction with the health care provider on a case-by-case basis.”

The intent is to ensure that potential benefits outweigh the risks. Bearman also emphasizes that any inhalation—whether via smoking or vaporizing—increases a person’s risk of COVID-19 because the respiratory route of cannabis increases both sputum and bronchial irritation, making a person more susceptible to infection. Essentially, if cannabis is being used medicinally, clinicians should discuss the immune modulation effects and route of administration with patients.

Reference Links:

• COVID study data will be released in August 2021 when the study is completed
• Cannabis and COVID Research Event held by COE in Dec 2020 with 6 COVID and Cannabis Researchers
• Link to sign up If companies are interested in partnering on the Healthcare provider medical cannabis study this year with COE and Medicinal Genomics
• https://www.cannacenterofexcellence.org/CCOE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter