OSU Study Shows CBGA and CBDA Block COVID-19 Virus

Oregon State University researchers found that cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) “bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and block a critical step in the process by which the virus infects humans.”

Yesterday, the researchers published their results in a research paper entitled “Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants,” which is available here. According to Richard van Breemen, who led the study, “Every part of the infection and replication cycle is a potential target for antiviral intervention, and the connection of the receptor binding domain of the spike protein to the human cell surface receptor ACE2 is a critical step in this cycle”, he said.

This means that cell entry inhibitors like the acids found in hemp could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and also shorten infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells. They bind to the spike proteins so that these proteins cannot bind to the ACE2 enzyme, which is abundant on the outer membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and other organs. “

Photo by engin akyurt via Unsplash

Read more at KVAL: OSU Study: Compounds in hemp block COVID-19 from entering human cells.

FDA WARNING

While this is certainly exciting news for the hemp industry, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent dozens of warning letters to manufacturers of CBD products for making medical claims about their products. When claims are made about the ability of a CBGA or CBDA product to block COVID-19, the FDA will consider that product to be an unapproved drug, even given this OSU report. This is because the FDA determines what a drug is based on its intended use.

RELATED: The Cannabis-COVID Link: What We Know and What We Don’t Know

Marketing statements, even those that just mention a medical study without being tied to a specific product, can result in a product being classified as a drug. In the context of CBD, claims about the treatment, prevention, cure, or alleviation of COVID-19 using CBD are high priority for the FDA. It is very likely that the FDA will take the same approach with claims about CBGA and CBDA, even given this incredible report from OSU.

RELATED: Cannabis Terpenes and CBD Outperform Leading COVID-19 Treatment in Early Studies

Andrew founded the Oregon Cannabis Law Group in 2014 and merged with the Green Light Law Group in 2019. He has long been at the forefront of novel legal issues in the burgeoning cannabis industry. You can reach him at andrew @gl-lg.com or 503-488-5424.

This article originally appeared in the Green Light Law Group and was republished with permission.