Donating blood is extremely important since it literally saves lives, so thank you in advance for even considering and looking into donating and helping others in need. Blood donations are used every single day by people who have undergone surgeries, had a traumatic accident, have chronic illnesses, have complications during pregnancy or childbirth, and cancer patients. According to the Red Cross ,a patient will need blood or platelets every two seconds and the average blood transfusion is roughly three units. To ensure that the blood is safe for patients in need, all donors complete a quick questionnaire about places they’ve traveled to recently, medications they take, sexual activity, and overall health. If you’re wondering, “can you donate blood if you smoke weed?” There are many reasons a volunteer can be disqualified from donating, but being a smoker (of cigarettes or cannabis) isn’t one of them. If you regularly smoke marijuana, consume edibles, or use CBD products and want to do your part by donating blood, this article will be a great resource to understand the do’s and don’ts of donating blood as a cannabis user.
HOW LONG DOES CANNABIS STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM?
Curious how long weed will last in your system after you smoke or take an edible? Well, that actually depends mostly on what testing method is being used and how active of a user you are.
BLOOD TEST
THC levels can be detected in your bloodstream anywhere from one to seven days, depending on how active a user you are.
HAIR FOLLICLE TEST
Hair tests are capable of testing back the longest, with these tests able to detect THC for up to 90 days.
URINE TEST
A urine test can detect THC within one day and for up to more than a month. Factors such as how heavy a user you are and how quickly your body metabolizes the cannabis play a key role in urine tests.
CAN YOU DONATE BLOOD IF YOU SMOKE WEED?
One common question is: “can you give blood if you smoked weed recently?” The short answer is yes. Most adults in good health that weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood once every 56 days (six times a year). You can still donate blood if you are a user of cannabis, but there are some rules that can disqualify you from donating such as showing up to your appointment blazed (not a good idea anyway) The Red Cross website states that “the use of cannabis does not disqualify an individual from blood donation, but potential donors cannot give if their use of cannabis impairs their memory .” In other words, no hotboxing in the car, taking a quick bong rip, or eating an edible right before donating blood. Generally, it’s recommended to refrain from smoking for 24 hours prior to the appointment or a minimum of two to three hours.
SHOULD I USE CANNABIS AFTER BLOOD DONATION?
No. It’s not recommended to smoke weed or use any cannabis products immediately after donating blood. One pint of blood is taken during donation, which the body will naturally replenish with time. This is why donors need to wait 56 days before donating again. Right after donation, a drink and snack are given to donors to replenish lost fluids and bring blood glucose levels back up. Using cannabis products may increase the risk of dizziness or other symptoms while your body is trying to rehydrate. Wait 24 hours or at least a few hours after donating before consuming cannabis again. It’s also recommended to drink extra liquids for the next day and eat iron rich foods to replenish stores. Also avoid alcoholic beverages and refrain from exercise or heavy lifting for the rest of the day.
ARE BLOOD DONATIONS TESTED FOR VARIOUS CANNABINOIDS?
No, blood donations are not tested for THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids. As mentioned earlier, THC and other cannabinoids actually leave the bloodstream within just a few hours and if smokers are following the guidelines, there should be no traces of THC left in the blood at the time of donation.
Now that you’ve read this article, you can stop asking, “can a smoker donate blood?” and start telling all your stoner friends to join you at the blood drive. After donating, why not celebrate with a brand new mini bong, vaporizer, herb grinder, weed storage container, or another fun smoking accessory from the 420-Selection online shop.
