Can You Donate Plasma If You Smoke Weed? 2023 Cannabis Use & Donating Blood

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The American Red Cross reports that someone in the US requires blood or platelets every two seconds. One vehicle accident victim may need 100 units of blood, and nationally, 29,000 red blood cells are required daily. Unfortunately, just 3% of Americans give blood. If you consume pot, can you give plasma to save lives? Let’s investigate.

What Is Blood Plasma?

Blood plasma is the liquid, and red blood cells and platelets make up the remainder. Plasma, which carries red blood cells and platelets, also contains proteins for blood clotting and immunological function. Plasma delivers potassium and salt to muscles and regulates pH for cell health. Burn, blood loss, and anemia patients need blood and plasma donations. These life-threatening injuries need donations. Unfortunately, US and global blood donations are dangerously low.

Blood plasma’s functions in the body include:

Transporting red blood cells and platelets around the body,
Bringing electrolytes like potassium and sodium to the muscles,
Carrying proteins needed for blood clotting,
Housing a large portion of the immune system and the proteins it needs.

What Are The Requirements For Donating Plasma?

Even with a medical marijuana certificate, cannabis consumers fear giving plasma, even though the requirements are simple. Before discussing cannabis, donors should review the universal standards.

Most states allow 17-year-olds to donate, although others allow 16. Red Cross needs parental permission in certain states. Donors must weigh 110 pounds. Donating also requires excellent health. The Red Cross says you must be healthy and able to do regular exercises. As long as they’re being treated, chronic diseases like diabetes don’t disqualify Red Cross applicants.

The Red Cross categorizes blood donations as Power Red, Platelet, and AB Elite Plasma Donations. Each requires specifics.

Power Red Donation

Donates two red blood cells at once. Donors require type O, type A negative, or type B negative blood. Like regular donors, they must be healthy. Male donors must be 17 years old, 5′ 1″ tall, and 130 pounds. Female donors must be 19 years old, 5’5″ tall, and 150 pounds.

Platelet donation

Concentrates on platelets, which coagulate blood. States need 16 or 17-year-old donors. Donors must wait two days before taking aspirin. Platelets from recently pregnant women may be rejected by recipients due to elevated antibodies. Other than that, whole blood donation standards remain the same.

AB Elite Plasma Donation

Exclusively accepts type AB donors. Standard Whole Blood Donations apply, except for type AB blood.

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Disqualification From Donating Blood Plasma

There is not a single blood donation rule that prohibits the use of cannabis.

The Red Cross provides a list of all of the potential eligibility requirements. The majority contain diseases, although certain medications may make an exception. In addition to not meeting the requirements outlined in the previous section, potential plasma donors cannot have blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. Also, fresh tattoos are grounds for exclusion. In most cases, these limits prevent the illness from spreading.

However, if you are under the influence of alcohol or marijuana, your request to donate plasma will be turned down.

Donating Plasma & Synthetic Weed

Synthetic marijuana, often known as K2 or spice, is a lab-made blend of synthetic cannabinoids that may be smoked or vaped. These synthetic cannabinoids are chemically comparable to THC and CBD, but that’s all. They’re not just bad cannabis; they’re lab-made poisons.

Synthetic cannabinoids attach to brain receptors like THC, but they have distinct effects. Delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, and seizures may result from these cannabinoids. To make things worse, some users suffer withdrawal symptoms from synthetic cannabis, which may be addicting.

Synthetic marijuana users should not give blood, according to most experts, even if the Red Cross and FDA don’t officially restrict it.

Do Donation Centers Do Drug Testing?

Donation centers do not drug test. Instead, they ask donors about lifestyle variables, including drug usage, that may affect donation. Donors may lie, but institutions evaluate donations for contagious illnesses and keep records of inappropriate donors.

Plasma donors may use cannabis. Donated blood is not THC-tested. Even if donation centers tested, pure CBD products wouldn’t show up. Donation centers do not drug test, but marijuana users dont need to pass a drug test to donate blood anyway. Instead, they ask donors about lifestyle variables, including drug usage, that may affect donation. Donors may lie, but institutions evaluate donations for contagious illnesses and keep records of inappropriate donors.

Plasma donors may use cannabis. Donated blood is not THC-tested. Even if donation centers tested, pure CBD products wouldn’t show up.

Plasma Donation Tips For Weed Smokers

Take a cannabis break before donating. A day or two is enough to detox. To eliminate active THC. As a favor to the recipient, the donation facility may inquire when you last used cannabis.

Beyond that, cannabis users should donate like everyone else.

Before donating, eat. Iron-rich meals are preferable. Vitamin C aids iron absorption. Citrus fruits, melons, berries, and tomatoes are vitamin C-rich.
Hydrate before and after donating. Before donating, eat. Iron-rich meals are preferable. Vitamin C aids iron absorption. Citrus fruits, melons, berries, and tomatoes are vitamin C-rich.
Hydrate before and after donating.

Conclusion

Plasma donors may use cannabis. If you want to donate, locate your local Red Cross donation location.

Cannabis plasma donors’ dilemma was best summed up by Healthline. “While the Red Cross does not advocate controlled drug use, marijuana, cigarettes, or alcohol usage does not always preclude a person from donating blood.” Alcohol and drugs prevent donors from giving. Legal or illicit marijuana usage does not otherwise induce deferral.”

Before giving plasma, keep it in mind, but don’t let it deter you. Medical marijuana doctors can easily identify if you qualify to consume cannabis legally. It’s essential to follow your state’s cannabis rules, even if the Red Cross won’t test you for THC.