Canada: Health system wants to use cannabis labs to test COVID-19

The Canadian health system (Health Canada) is turning to the cannabis industry to see if the laboratories used to verify cannabinoids can also be used to test for COVID-19. Joanne Garrah, Director General of Health Canada, emailed executives at several licensed cannabis companies to see if there is laboratory capacity to assist the country in testing COVID-19.

“Health Canada is working to identify laboratory capacity that may be available in the country in various sectors, including licensed cannabis production sites, to assist with COVID-19 testing,” revealed the email sent by the directorate. of Canadian health.

“We are currently working to understand specific needs and related issues, and will be in touch over the next few days to request more information. If you have laboratory capacity within your facility and are interested in providing assistance, please notify us by email.”

Testing for the new coronavirus has become the main concern regarding the identification of new cases. The delay in those tests could contribute to an incomplete picture of how the virus is spreading, according to federal health officials. THE A Health Canada spokesperson confirmed the email exchange to BNN Bloomberg, but did not immediately disclose whether any companies relented.

However, Laura Gallant, a spokeswoman for Aurora Cannabis Inc., revealed that the company is investigating whether its in-house labs have the adequate capacity to back up Health Canada in testing COVID-19.  “We all think it's an exciting opportunity and we're looking into whether our laboratory spaces could meet the needs of our healthcare system,” Gallant said in an email sent to BNN Bloomberg.

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