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CBD News Roundup: Tel Aviv University to Study CBD-Based Therapy to Treat COVID-19

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Written by The CBD Insider

Here’s the latest CBD news:

  • Tel Aviv University is partnering with InnoCan Pharma Ltd. to study a CBD-based therapy to treat COVID-19.
  • Colorado has established April 7 as Charlotte Figi Day to honor the late Charlotte Figi, the namesake of the CBD company Charlotte’s Web.
  • The hemp industry has ensured hemp farmers will receive federal COVID-19 relief.

CBD News Stories

  1. Tel Aviv University and InnoCan Pharma Partner to Study CBD-Based COVID-19 Treatment
  2. Colorado Makes April 7 ‘Charlotte Figi Day’
  3. Hemp Farmers Included in Latest Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill

Tel Aviv University and InnoCan Pharma Partner to Study CBD-Based COVID-19 Treatment

Tel Aviv University (TAU) and InnoCan Pharma Ltd. in Herzliya, Israel, are partnering to study CBD-loaded exosomes (CLX) for the treatment of COVID-19.

Exosomes are lipid vesicles that carry protein and genetic information to cells.

Some studies have shown that exosomes may be responsible for carrying and distributing disease molecules between cells, like cancer or proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s.

However, scientists are now attempting to “load” exosomes with helpful molecules to treat conditions.

According to the TAU and InnoCan announcement, “CBD-Loaded exosomes hold the potential to provide a highly synergistic effect of anti-inflammatory properties and help in the recovery of infected lung cells.”

The proposed therapy is likely to be administered through inhalation.

The team from TAU and InnoCan is led by Professor Daniel Offen, who specializes in Neuroscience and Exosome technology at the university.

“I am pleased to work with the InnoCan team on this exciting CLX development project,” said Professor Offen in a statement. “We are facing a challenging time, and I believe our unique approach holds a promise to offer a treatment for COVID-19, pneumonia and perhaps for other lung inflammations as well.”

InnoCann is funding the research, including approximately $435,000 for the first stage.

“COVID-19 has quickly become one of the largest challenges in healthcare today,” said Iris Bincovich, the CEO of InnoCan, in a statement. “With the development of CLX, we are creating a new treatment, to join the global mission to combat the effects of COVID-19. We are determined to make a difference as quickly as possible to assist patients worldwide.”

Colorado Makes April 7 ‘Charlotte Figi Day’

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order this week, declaring April 7 as “Charlotte Figi Day.”

As first reported by Westword, the proclamation states:

“Whereas, on April 7, 2020 Charlotte Figi passed away, having left the world with a life-changing story of overcoming adversity through courage and grace, impacting the lives of many millions whose wellness and dignity was in part made possible by Charlotte and the Figi family’s devotion to finding a therapy, the great and loving State of Colorado shall honor her life and encompass her journey through our continued dedication to unearthing solutions, discovering community strength, and embodying the love of Charlotte. Therefore, I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim April 7 forevermore as Charlotte Figi Day in the State of Colorado.”

Charlotte Figi passed away on April 7 due to complications from a virus.

She was 13.

Charlotte was admitted to Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, on April 3 and discharged on April 5 after testing negative for COVID-19 and showing improvement.

However, she returned to the hospital on the morning of April 7 after a seizure.

According to Charlotte’s mother in a Facebook post, the seizure led to “respiratory failure and cardiac arrest,” and Charlotte eventually passed later that day.

Charlotte began having seizures when she was three months old, caused by a rare form of childhood epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.

When no treatments were successful, the Figi family turned to medical cannabis in the form of CBD oil.

After suffering around 300 grand mal seizures a week, Charlotte was nearly seizure-free with CBD.

The Stanley Brothers, who gave the oil to Charlotte and her family, named the plant Charlotte’s Web and started a CBD company of the same name in her honor.

“Charlotte, you are the light of our lives,” wrote the Stanley Brothers in a memorial post on their site. “Thank you for your life, your bravery, and your beautiful soul. We love you, Charlie.”

Hemp Farmers Included in Latest Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill

The Paycheck Protection Program Increase Act passed Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday now makes hemp farmers eligible to receive relief.

Specifically, hemp farmers are now eligible for loans under the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.

In previous bills, it was not clear if hemp farmers were allowed to receive assistance from EIDL since USDA also has programs for farmers.

However, these USDA programs are usually limited to natural disasters.

Last week, hemp organizations like the US Hemp Roundtable and Vote Hemp sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) pushing the agency to make hemp farmers eligible for COVID-19 relief.

“We urge SBA to clarify that agricultural enterprises are eligible for the EIDL program as well as the emergency grant program,” wrote the organizations in their letter. “We also ask that SBA issue clear guidance confirming that agricultural enterprises are eligible for other SBA programs included in the CARES Act.”

The latest legislation adds $10 billion to the EIDL and increases the initial Paycheck Protection Program from $349 billion to $659 billion.


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