April 27, 2021 03:30 pm ETEstimated Read Time: 5 Minutes
When it comes to regular cannabis consumers, one may wonder whether they can donate blood. Blood donation is of particular importance as it could mean the difference between life and death, especially in countries like South Africa, where the National Blood Bank levels are significantly low. In South Africa, a blood transfusion takes place around every 48 seconds while approximately 5 million Americans receive blood transfusions every year according to the National Institutes of Health. With a growing population of cannabis consumers, it is important to understand whether the cannabis community can contribute to blood banks.
There are a number of reasons for the need for blood transfusions such as severe injury, surgery, cancer, and disease or conditions. The blood necessary for blood transfusions is obtained through the process of blood donation- which involves a series of inquiries into health, lifestyle, and travel history in order to determine whether one is eligible for blood donation.
Are Cannabis Consumers Able to Donate Blood?
The authority on blood donation in America, American Red Cross, has attempted to answer the most common questions concerning cannabis consumers who wish to donate blood. These frequently asked questions include:
Does cannabis consumption disqualify one from blood donation?
Is there a certain waiting period between cannabis consumption and blood donation?
Does the Red Cross comply with the Drug Enforcement Administration who enforces federal cannabis prohibition?
Will the recipient fail a drug test if they were to receive the cannabis consumer’s blood?
The answers to such questions are quite a relief for the cannabis consumers who wish to make blood donations. The Red Cross explains that cannabis consumption does not disqualify one from donating blood and that they encourage all donors who feel well to make an appointment for blood donation. They also go on to explain that there is no data that specifies how long an individual should wait between cannabis consumption and blood donation. However, they do advise that cannabis consumers do not donate blood if memory or comprehension is being impaired.
Additionally, the Red Cross explains that they do not report to the DEA and that blood donation is regulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They go on to state that the FDA does not require donated blood to be tested for cannabis compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). They also state that the recipient who receives the blood of a cannabis consumer will not fail a drug test, even if the donor is a heavy cannabis consumer.
There Are Many Factors That Can Disqualify a Donor
Healthline explains that blood donation clinics may turn one away if they arrive visibly high and that “legal or illegal use of marijuana is not otherwise a cause of deferral”. Healthline does advise that cannabis and nicotine consumed together may cause an increase in blood pressure- which would then disqualify one from donating blood. They also advise against smoking post-donation in order to avoid adverse effects such as feeling dizzy.
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
Conventional blood bank testing includes analyzing blood for the Rh typing and infections which include HIV, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), hepatitis B and C, syphilis, West Nile virus, and Chagas disease. The blood banks do not test for nicotine, tobacco, or cannabis.
Factors that can disqualify one from donating blood include:
Illicit injection drugs
Steroids
Infection
Pregnancy or recent birth
Recent tattoos
Cancers
Disorders and conditions such as blood clotting disorder
Viruses
Overseas travel to certain countries
The Red Cross also addresses concerns over donating platelets or plasmas as a cannabis consumer and explains that the guidelines are the same as for donating blood. Cannabis consumption does not disqualify one from donating platelets or plasmas. However, one concern is highlighted with regards to synthetic cannabis consumption. Synthetic cannabinoids have been found to “contain certain anticoagulants known to contaminate plasma”- which means that it is best to avoid donating plasma when consuming synthetic cannabis.
The Red Cross also states that local blood centers are the authority on whether to accept the blood, platelets or plasmas from synthetic cannabinoid consumers since there are adverse differences between the consumption of botanical and synthetic cannabinoids.
Cannabis and Cardiovascular Health
Medical News Today explains that cannabis consumers can donate blood as long as their blood pressure is between 90/50 millimeters and 80/100 millimeters of mercury. Additionally, a study found that cannabis can impact the cardiovascular systembut this shouldn’t necessarily impact the quality of any donated blood. Thus making blood donation of cannabis consumers subject to the consumers overall health and even though cannabis can cause such effects in the cardiovascular system, it does not mean that this will happen to all cannabis consumers.
Since cannabis consumption does not disqualify one from donating blood, platelets or plasmas and since it does not put the patient at risk, it is encouraged that the cannabis community take to donating their blood as frequently as allowed in order to maintain blood levels at blood banks. However, we do advise that cannabis consumers do not smoke before or after donating blood to avoid potential adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or queasiness. For more information on donating blood as a cannabis consumer, it is advised that you contact local blood blank clinics or authorities and potentially get your cardiovascular health examined before donation.
Chane Leigh, aka The Bud Fairy, is a South African cannabis advocate and enthusiast with a firey personality and a thirst for travel. She loves to educate people and to question the norms.
Suddenly, the world of magic mushrooms is almost as complicated as that of learning about cannabis. Shrooms or “magic” mushrooms have gained traction as a hallucinogenic therapeutic application for several different mental health circumstances such as depression and migraines—particularly when microdosing. It’s not just liberty caps anymore, folks. There are many different varieties and types…
Edibles are arguably one of the best means of recreational cannabis consumption—you get to eat a treat AND experience a long-lasting high. But it’s easy to end up dealing with some unwanted side effects due to the variability in the onset of these THC-packed goodies, which come in the form of brownies, cookies, gummies, chocolate,…
If you’re reading this, you are either a recreational cannabis veteran who has seen a handful of cannabis smokers passing out from puffing a joint and can’t seem to figure out why. Or, you are a newbie who wants to give recreational or medical cannabis a shot, and the burning question on your mind is,…
So you love smoking cannabis, but you’re tired of the same ole rolling papers. Perhaps you feel like you’ve graduated from dumping out the tobacco and shoving weed into an empty cigarette. Maybe you’ve recently learned about the potential dangers and risks associated with tobacco blunt wraps and want a healthier option. Let’s explore some…
When you decide that you are going to dabble in cannabis cultivation, you have many different decisions to make. You’ll have to decide whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, as well as in soil, or the route of hydroponics. You’ll also have to pick what type of planters to use, what grow medium to use,…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.