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Cannalogue applies for clinical trial for cannabis to treat COVID-19

Specialists at health technology company, Cannalogue, believe the active medical ingredients from the cannabis plant could potentially boost the immune system to reduce the severity of symptoms from COVID-19.

The Toronto-based company has submitted an application to Health Canada to conduct clinical trials to determine if medical cannabis can reduce the symptoms of COVID-19 or any mutant strains of the coronavirus.

“We are not suggesting with the current knowledge of medical cannabis that it is a prevention, treatment or cure for COVID-19 or coronaviruses,” says Dr. Mohan Cooray, president and chief executive of Cannalogue, who is also a specialist in internal medicine, gastroenterology and hepatology.

“However, plant cannabinoids have naturally occurring immunomodulatory properties that absolutely require expedited investigation given the current global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr. Cooray said Cannalogue is committed to doing its part in fighting the pandemic because “the need is too great and we have to act now.”

Cannabinoid receptors are naturally found on immune cells in the body, Dr. Cooray theorizes that if stimulated prior to an infection, it may dampen the inflammatory response of the virus which is a key factor in the severity of symptoms observed in COVID-19 patients.

“This appears to be a common mechanism of action for the current therapies being investigated for COVID-19 research studies. If we can’t flatten the curve, then we need to focus on reducing the number of deaths,” he said.