If you’d like to donate blood but smoke weed for medical or recreational purposes, you might think you may be disqualified, especially if you consider that cannabis can stay in your body for months, depending on its usage.
In Canada, the number of regular donors has declined significantly in the past few years, and new blood donors are needed much more than ever before.
So, can you still donate blood if you smoke weed? And with cannabis in your system, does it prevent you from giving blood? Keep reading to know more.
Can You Donate Blood If You Smoke Weed In Canada?
If you smoke cannabis and you would like to donate blood, you can do both. The Canadian Blood Service denounced the rule requiring many blood donors to wait 12 hours before donating blood in April 2018.
Smoking weed wont stop you from donating blood. However, the blood clinics or centres may turn you away if you show up visibly high on weed.
While the Red Cross does not encourage using controlled substances, Marijuana, cigarettes or alcohol, use does not necessarily disqualify a person from giving blood. Potential donors cannot give while under the influence of licit or illicit drugs (Red Cross).
Do I Have To Wait Till The Weed Gets Out Of My System Before I Donate Blood?
Well, no specific data tell us how long you could wait. Initially, in Canada, you had to wait for 12 hours before you donated blood. But a lot of things have changed. Overall, do not go to the clinic on a ‘high’ note.
Do I Need To Meet Some Requirements By The Drug Enforcement Administration?
Fortunately, the DEA does not interfere with this voluntary activity. The eligibility to donate blood is regulated by Health Canada. Aside from ensuring that there are fewer restrictions when it comes to blood donations, they also do their best to maintain the safety of the blood supply.
Do The Blood Clinics Test Blood Samples For Thc?
No. Health organizations such as the Red Cross do not test for tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), the main compound that makes you high when you take weed.
What If I Took Products With A High THC Percentage?
No. all we want is for you not to donate when you notice that your use of cannabis affects the way you think at that point in time.
Will I Be Deprived Of Donating Blood If I Take Synthetic Marijuana?
There are currently no guidelines regarding synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 and spice. It’s up to local blood centres to decide. Why? It’s because these blood centres are in the best position to know whether they should accept these people.
Is There Any Requirement Potential Blood Donors Who Use Cannabis Must Meet?
Yes. There are three significant conditions you must meet as a cannabis user:
- You must be sober;
- Doctors or nurses attending to you must see that you’re not intoxicated or high;
- You need to be able to give informed consent.
You’re free to give blood if you can meet those requirements.
Are There Different Guidelines For Cannabis And Synthetic Marijuana Users Who Want To Donate Platelets Or Plasma?
For cannabis users who want to donate platelets or Plasma, it’s pretty simple. The guidelines are not that different from donating whole blood.
However, for synthetic marijuana users, some concerns have been raised about some synthetic marijuana products. Some of them contain certain compounds that have been known to contaminate Plasma.
Policies concerning accepting blood, Plasma, and platelets donations from synthetic marijuana users are made by local blood centres. However, these policies tend to vary, depending on how many contaminants have been showing up in their centres.
What Are Some Things I Need To Know Before I Donate Blood?
- You need to be above 17 years to donate whole blood. In some states, volunteers up to 16 years can donate blood. However, this is done with parental consent;
- You must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Aside from this, you need also to provide some information on any underlying health conditions you might have.
Final Words
Blood donation is one of the voluntary procedures that has helped to save many lives around the world. Many blood banks in Canada are Health Canada-approved, AABB-accredited, and FDA-registered.
As a cannabis user, you do not need to worry if you will not be accepted. You will. All you need to do now is prepare. After ordering weed delivery newmarket you should drink lots of water, eat a healthy meal and try to relax by listening to white noise or cool music during the donation process.
