Giving blood is a very selfless thing to do. Because they want to help others, millions of Americans regularly donate. However, there is a great deal of misunderstanding about whether blood donation is even possible.
So, if you smoke marijuana, can you still donate blood?
Donating blood is not hampered by weed use. So, if you smoke, why can you still donate blood? The rationale behind this is that THC doesn’t stay in the bloodstream for longer than the time it takes to get a high. If you’re a cannabis user and need an online medical card, rest assured that your ability to donate blood remains unaffected.
Within two to three hours, smoking-induced THC will be eliminated from the bloodstream. Up to four hours may be needed for edibles. For this reason, if you smoke marijuana and want to donate blood, you must be sober.
You can’t give enough consent when under the influence, just like when you donate blood plasma.
Do Routine Blood Tests Detect Drugs?
It is uncommon for routine blood tests to screen for alcohol and drugs. Although a blood sample may be required for a workplace drug test, these are specialized tests meant to detect drug and alcohol use.
So, is drug testing done on donated blood? Although the blood will be screened for drugs and alcohol before being given to a donor, this does not affect the blood’s integrity.
This is just a questionnaire, but you will be screened for drug use. You can donate blood as long as you’re not taking intravenous medications.
Do Hospitals Test for Drugs When Taking Blood Samples?
A questionnaire regarding common transmissible diseases that may disqualify a donor from giving blood is given to each donor. However, if you smoke marijuana, can you still donate blood? Of course. There won’t be any cannabis testing done on you.
Hospitals will collect a sample of each donation after you give blood. But every unit of blood will be checked for infectious disease pathogens, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Is It Safe to Drink After Donating Blood?
Your blood is what dilutes the liquids you drink. It is therefore advised that you abstain from alcohol for a minimum of eight hours.
Even small amounts of alcohol could intoxicate you because the effects of the alcohol will be more pronounced when your blood volume is temporarily reduced.
After giving blood, veteran donors typically advise abstaining from alcohol for the remainder of the day.
Is It Safe to Smoke Weed After Donating Blood?
“Is it possible for me to donate blood if I smoke?” You might also be curious about smoking after giving blood.
Once more, the answer is yes, but it is not advised. As with alcohol, smoking cannabis after giving blood will intensify its effects, making you more inebriated and experiencing a stronger high.
Feel free to smoke if you don’t mind this. After giving blood, smoking poses no health risks.
What to Do Before Donating Blood If You Smoke
Carbon monoxide, which is found in cigarettes, impairs red blood cells’ capacity to transport oxygen. Giving up a liter of this valuable fluid can lead to issues.
Instead, three hours prior to your donation, make sure you don’t smoke anything. This also holds true for the three hours following blood donation.
Choosing a three-hour window is usually acceptable, though some experts advise against smoking on the day of your donation.
What Precautions to Take When Smoking Weed After Donating Blood
Apply the same guidelines that you would if you were quitting smoking cigarettes. After giving blood, refrain from smoking marijuana for at least three hours.
However, you might find that smoking that day will result in a much larger hit than usual because giving blood narrows the blood vessels. On the day of your donation, try to abstain from all cannabis use.
However, choose a low-THC strain of cannabis if you must smoke after your donation. If you want to benefit from marijuana without getting high, you might also want to think about switching to CBD products.
Secure Your Legal Protection —Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card Today!
Can someone who smokes marijuana donate blood? You can, indeed. However, obtaining the necessary legal protection with a medical card always pays off, regardless of whether you are smoking marijuana legally or illegally.
Become a state-legal patient to get higher possession limits, cheaper prices, and high-potency cannabis. You can check online from the comfort of your home to see if you are eligible for an MMJ card based on your medical condition.
For the easiest way to verify your eligibility and apply for your state’s medical card, make an appointment with Online Medical Card right now. Additionally, you must apply for a California cannabis grower’s license, which allows you to grow 99 plants in CA in your home if you intend to grow marijuana for medical purposes.
