Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Donating blood is the ultimate gift. With each donation you offer a chance at hope and healing to patients in your community and across the nation. There are certain eligibility requirements for donors to ensure a healthy and safe blood supply. Below we’ll address one of the most searched blood donation questions: Can I donate if I use cannabis?
Key Points:
The use of cannabis does not disqualify an individual from blood donation, but potential donors cannot give if cannabis use impairs their memory or comprehension.
The Red Cross does not test blood donations for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the principle psychoactive component of the cannabis plant.
The Details:
Using cannabis doesn’t disqualify you from donating, and there isn’t a set amount of time you are required to wait after consuming. In fact, there is no data that specifies how long an individual should wait between cannabis use and blood donation. However, it is recommended that you wait to come in to donate if your use of cannabis is impairing your memory or comprehension.
The American Red Cross doesn’t test blood for THC. If you’ve recently consumed marijuana, there’s no need to be worried about testing positive. Eligibility to donate blood is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, not the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FDA does not require blood collectors to test for THC. Even heavy cannabis use won’t cause a transfusion recipient to test positive, so there’s no reason for blood donors to be tested.
Synthetic Marijuana Substances:
The regulations for synthetic marijuana substances like K2 and Spice are slightly different. The FDA does not have universal guidelines regarding synthetic marijuana (a.k.a “synthetic cannabinoid”), leaving decisions about the acceptability of these donations up to local blood centers since they are in the best position to know if disqualifying contaminants turned up in their areas.
For synthetic marijuana users, there are concerns that some varieties of non-prescription synthetic marijuana have been found to contain certain anticoagulants known to contaminate plasma.
Policies about accepting whole blood, platelets or plasma donations from recreational synthetic marijuana consumers are currently set by each local blood center. Those policies vary depending on if contaminants have been found in their areas.
If you are a recreational synthetic marijuana consumer who wants to donate plasma, we strongly suggest you contact our Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.
Eligible Donors Are Needed Now
If your cannabis use has kept you from donating in the past, don’t let it stop you in the future. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and that need never lets up. The Red Cross needs all eligible donors to show up for patients in need like their lives depend on it – because they do!
All eligible donors who feel well can make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Does the Red Cross discourage cannabis consumers from donating blood?
A: No. The Red Cross encourages all eligible donors who feel well to make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Q: Do I need to wait to donate after using cannabis, and if so why?
A: There is no data that specifies how long an individual should wait between cannabis use and blood donation. Please do not present to donate if your use of cannabis is impairing your memory or comprehension.
Q: Doesn’t the Red Cross have to follow guidelines put out by the Drug Enforcement Administration—the same agency that classifies cannabis as a Schedule One drug?
A: Eligibility to donate blood is regulated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, not the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The FDA does not require blood collectors to test for THC.
Q: Does the Red Cross ever test blood samples for THC?
A: No.
Q: What if I consume high-THC-percentage products like waxes or dabs; does that disqualify me?
A: No. Again, we ask that you do not present to donate if your use of cannabis is impairing your memory or comprehension.
Q: I'm a heavy cannabis consumer. Can a transfusion recipient fail a drug test if they receive my blood?
A: No.
Q: Can I donate blood to the Red Cross if I take prescribed synthetic marijuana (the FDA uses the term "synthetic cannabinoids") or recreational varieties like K2 and Spice?
A: The FDA does not have universal guidelines regarding synthetic marijuana (a.k.a “synthetic cannabinoid”) and leaves decisions about the acceptability of donations from these users up to local blood centers. This is because they are in the best position to know if disqualifying contaminants have been turning up in their areas.
Whether the synthetic marijuana you take is a prescribed medication or a recreational variety, our best advice is to contact our Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.
Q: Do different guidelines apply to cannabis or synthetic marijuana consumers who want to donate platelets or plasma specifically?
A: For a cannabis user donating platelets or plasma, the guidelines are the same as they are for donating whole blood.
For synthetic marijuana users, there are concerns that some varieties of non-prescription synthetic marijuana have been found to contain certain anticoagulants known to contaminate plasma.
Policies about accepting whole blood, platelets or plasma donations from recreational synthetic marijuana consumers are currently set by each local blood center. Those policies vary depending on whether or not contaminants have been turning up in their areas.
If you are a recreational synthetic marijuana consumer who wants to donate plasma, we strongly suggest you contact our Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.
References:
https://www.theactivetimes.com/donate-blood-smoked-weed
http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/synthetic-cannabinoid-bleeding-risk.html