(Corvallis, OR) -- Researchers at Oregon State University are finding that hemp compounds are effective in preventing COVID-19 from entering human cells. The study was published in the Journal of Natural Products. The hemp compounds bind to the COVID-19 spike protein which blocks a critical step in the process the virus uses to infect people. The hemp would need to be taken orally and can't be smoked, because heat eliminates the function of the compound. More research is needed to determine the amount of hemp that would be necessary. Researchers say it wouldn't stop COVID-19, but it would create a much more challenging environment for the virus.