(The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

U of L researcher speaks at SACPA on benefits of cannabis against COVID-19

May 28, 2020 | 12:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs (SACPA) welcomed Dr. Olga Kovalchuk Thursday morning.

Kovalchuk is undertaking research at the University of Lethbridge on how medical cannabis can help potentially treat COVID-19.

She is also a professor and a Board of Governors’ Research Chair in Epigenetics of Health and Diseases at the University of Lethbridge.

The U of L-based study is a partnership between the university, research firm Pathway RX and cannabinoid-based oral health company Swysh Inc.

Results from the study show that hemp extracts high in CBD may help block proteins that provide a ‘gateway’ for COVID-19 to enter host cells (i.e. humans).

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Kovalchuk said although cannabis can offer some hope in becoming a form of therapy, there are some things to consider.

“Cannabis is not generic, and therefore it is very important that selection of strains is conducted rigorously based on pre-clinical data, based on mechanistically search based on understand what do these specific strains do to the cells and to the tissues, and how they affect processes that underly those specific diseases,” she said.

“The key take-home message is, let’s get fingers crossed. If we find the partners and conduct the trials, hopefully we will know whether or not these discoveries can be bought to the mainstream practice as evidence-based medications.”

Dr. Kovalchuk’s presentation to SACPA can be viewed in full below.