It’s becoming obvious that even though most Americans are willing to donate blood, but a few are concerned about the blood donation disqualifications. Well, in this article, we deliberate more on whether you can donate Plasma if you smoke weed.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has suggested that a total of over five million Americans are beneficiaries of blood transfusions every year. The figure doesn’t show any sign of slowing down anytime soon. But wait, why do people need a blood transfusion and why do people want to donate blood?
There are several reasons why people may seek to donate blood or even be recipients:
- It could be because of severe injury or accident
- The most known reason is Surgery
- Some other reasons could be health implications. The most popular of them are hemophilia and anemia
Blood donation requires a vigorous process and is well scrutinized and administered before collecting. Whiles, it’s kind of anyone to donate plasma or blood in aid of blood transfusion, it’s important that all health measures are taking into consideration.
This is why there are checks and answering of questions keenly about your health conditions. In fact, it’s a requirement for every health institution in America to check your lifestyle and history. That brings us to the main question, can you donate Plasma if you smoke weed?. Let’s look at this from the following angles:
Cannabis Smokers and Donation
Generally, smoking weed or cannabis in itself doesn’t disqualify you from blood donation but there’s more to it. The clinic is likely to turn you away if you show up to your appointment visibly high on the substance.
This information can be confirmed by a publication by the American Red Cross that stated that “While the Red Cross does not encourage the use of 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 or alcohol. Legal or illegal use of marijuana is not otherwise a cause of deferral.”
It’s obvious smoking weed or Cannabis doesn’t in itself disqualify you from donating plasma but other associated effects it may have on your health do limit your chance.
Nicotine Users and Blood Donation
And again. the use of nicotine such as smoking cigarettes in itself doesn’t directly disqualify you from blood donation. One of the reasons why cigarette smokers are often declined is because of blood pressure issues. You turn to have high blood pressure when you smoke so the idea method is, you should avoid smoking on the day of your appointment or even some days before. This helps to increase your chances of qualifying for blood or plasma donation.
Blood Donation Disqualifications
In every health facility, there seems to be a standard guideline and methods in selecting blood donors. The United States and most European countries may have the following reasons for blood donation disqualifications:
- If you are HIV positive. People with HIV infections are totally prohibited from a blood transfusion.
- Culprits of Illicit injunctions drugs.
- Pregnant women are restricted
- Having Blood clotting disorder
- Sign of Sickness before the day of the appointment
- People with Tatto or Piercing within the last few years
- Leukemia, lymphoma, or other cancers of the blood culprits are discouraged
This is not the only reason you could be declined. Most of these are the well known medical reasons but you may first discuss them with your hospital or clinic first.
On Grounds of Medication
Even though your blood is needed to save a life, your life and the recipient are equally important and must be a safeguard. This is why so much care is taken before allowing blood donation. Some medications have serious consequences and you may be disqualified from blood donation on such a basis. In rare cases, using certain medications will prevent you from donating blood for the rest of your life. Human pituitary-derived growth hormone and the psoriasis drug etretinate (Tegison), both of which are now prohibited in the United States. Temporal medications that could get you booted include:
- Acitretin
- Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and heparin
- Isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis), an acne drug
Why Smoking Causes Blood Donation Disqualification
Smoking can not directly result in your decline in plasma donation but there are underlining consequence of it that could limit your chances. Some of the reasons are listed below:
High Blood Pressure
It appears high blood pressure is the basic reason why smoking could lead to your blood donation offer. It’s medically confirmed that your blood pressure rises when you smoke frequently. Some sources have advised that you cease smoking for some days before seeking to donate else you will be disqualified.
Frequent Smoking may Cause Cancer
You cannot donate if you are currently undergoing cancer treatment or have had leukemia or lymphoma. Patients who have had other types of cancer may be required to wait one year after successful treatment.
Heart and lung disease
If you are currently experiencing symptoms of a heart or lung condition, you are ineligible for donation. Furthermore, if you have had a heart attack or stroke, you may be required to wait up to six months before donating.
How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System
According to Healine.com THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in marijuana. THC is absorbed into the bloodstream when it enters your body. Some THC is stored in organs and fatty tissues for a short period of time. THC can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream by the kidneys. THC is degraded in the liver.
It has over 80 metabolites, the most important of which are 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and THCCOOH (11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). These metabolites, which stay in your body longer than THC, are looked for in drug tests. THC and its metabolites are eventually excreted in urine and stool.
In other words how long weed stays in your system varies and depends on several factors including dosage. Weed can stay in your system for several days to several months after you last used it. The detection window is determined by the drug test used as well as other factors, such as whether you smoke or consume marijuana on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Before deciding to donate Plasma if you smoke weed or use any form of cannabis, you might want to cease using the substance for a while. This will temporarily restore your blood and increase your chances of qualifying for blood donation. Honestly, American facilities and the American Red Cross are very careful about blood quality and won’t lower the bar for anyone. Having the mentality to donate blood is positive thinking to save humanity. Enjoy!!
