Are cannabis users more at risk for COVID-19? What are the best ways to use the plant during the pandemic?

Dear Patients and Colleagues:

Our new enemy is invisible and deadly and it attacks regardless of race, creed, class or color.

COVID-19 has made everyone aware of the fact that some reasonable sacrifices now will help avoid utter catastrophe -- and personal suffering -- later.

One significant adjustment is occurring in our culture of sharing. Handshaking as a way of greeting will likely give way to bowing or touching your heart. People will probably begin to wink at each other (or “smize,” smile with the eyes) since smiles are harder to see beneath a face mask. The idea of sitting cheek by jowl in a crowded restaurant sharing an intimate meal will be put on pause until we come to a new understanding about slowing the ways novel infectious diseases take hold and spread.

So many of my patients are asking about other ways to use cannabis mindfully to lower their stress or make these times of social distancing and self-quarantining less difficult. There’s also a lot of confusion about the effects of cannabis on the immune system.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and what I recommend for smart, sensible cannabis use in the time of COVID-19:

--Are cannabis users more at risk for COVID-19? Should we stop smoking now? What are the best ways to use the plant during the pandemic?

--Should cannabis users refrain from all smoking/vaping during this time?

What’s the difference between cannabis smoke and tobacco?

--Is vaping less dangerous than smoking?

--Can you explain how COVID-19-19 affects the lungs of those who are infected?

--Do you have any insight into how using cannabis may affect those with COVID-19?

--Could cannabis' benefits outweigh potential harm for those who are affected or even at risk?

--Would you advise COVID-19 patients to abstain from cannabis use entirely?

--What about CBD?

This is such a mega-stressful time. --How can you use cannabis to relieve stress and lower anxiety?

--What foods or supplements can I take to boost my immune functioning?

Please click on the link below for answers to FAQ from medical cannabis patients. http://www.medleafrx.com/articles/covid-19-and-cannabis-a-good-or-bad-combination? LINK TO ARTICLE

Wishing you all the best in health.

Dr. June Chin Author

Dr. Junella Chin is an advocate for better understanding of the science and medicine of cannabis. Dr. Chin and her team of physicians consult with patients all over the world. They have been integrating medical cannabis since 2001. Her work has been featured in Forbes, LA Times, and Good Morning America. The book she co-authored, Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness, was published in June 2019. She is the co-founder of Medical Cannabis Mentor, an online educational platform.