BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A research group based in Boston has been studying the connection between cannabis and the coronavirus.
The Cannabis Center of Excellence (CCoE,) a local non-profit, brought researchers together virtually from around the world on Wednesday to talk about how cannabis can be used by COVID-19 patients and the public.
"There's a lot of interesting research going around about cannabis and COVID-19 from preclinical perspectives," said Dr. Marion McNabb, president of the CCoE. "Also population and epidemiological studies, looking at the impact of COVID-19 on medical cannabis patients and consumers."
There were four different panels scheduled with various cannabis researchers Wednesday, which included a look at the preliminary results of the study by CCoE and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Out of an anonymous survey of 346 people, around 75 percent of whom live in Massachusetts, nearly half the participants said they have consumed more cannabis since the pandemic began.
Respondents said they found marijuana to be most helpful for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic and severe pain.
Participants also noted increased barriers to their access of legal cannabis, including recreational store closures early in the pandemic, and financial issues. Concurrently, at-home cannabis cultivation has also risen during the pandemic.
The CCoE and UMass Dartmouth's Cannabis and COVID-19 study is ongoing through 2021. Click here to learn more.
WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens reports:
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)