Research on Cannabis as possible Covid-19 treatment underway

Published Apr 28, 2020

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DURBAN - A team of researchers at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, are exploring the effectiveness of cannabis as a possible treatment for Covid-19. The team specifically evaluated the use of cannabidiol (CBD) and whether it can slow down the inflammatory process caused by our body’s response to Covid-19.

CBD is found in the cannabis plant. However, it is not psychoactive, meaning it does not get you ‘high’. It is widely available and can be found almost anywhere.

Research of the cannabis treatment follows numerous attempts made by the medical and scientific community to find a treatment or cure for the Covid-19.

Dr Barak Cohen a senior anesthesiologist leading the research said: “This is a novel approach to treating some of the symptoms, using a component of the cannabis plant that is considered safe and non-addictive.”

While laws on cannabis in South Africa have been lenient other countries around the world still have it classified as a schedule 1 drug. This could possibly slow down the research process given the fact that there is a lot of red tape to bypass.

Medics in Israel said more research needs to be made on the possibility of using cannabis as a treatment for Covid-19.

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