What You Can (and Can't) Do on Cannabis

As more states jump on the bandwagon of full cannabis legalization, questions persist around what you can and can’t do while using cannabis. Some issues are basically settled — it’s highly unlikely that the FAA will ever let licensed pilots use cannabis anytime soon, even if it’s off-hours, and all states frown on motorists driving cars when stoned. However, various other rights and privileges are still being fought about by advocates who, like you, enjoy cannabis and wish to participate and give back to the communities they live in, just like everybody else.

So, for those wishing to discover if cannabis could potentially get in the way of giving several types of donations or procuring some highly-prized licenses, here’s where things stand at the moment.

Donating Blood

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the collection and distribution of blood and blood products. In 2018, the agency released a warning for synthetic cannabinoid consumers over the potential presence of brodifacoum. Brodifacoum is an anticoagulant which can suppress clotting for a lengthy period of time — some donor clinics will ask people to abstain from synthetics for a year before they’ll take blood from them. This would most likely include products like delta-8 or THC-O Acetate.

However, natural cannabis possesses far fewer of these issues. On their website, the American Red Cross declares that they will accept blood from cannabis users (including concentrates), just as long as they aren’t under the influence at the time of their donation. In addition, they also ask people to refrain from donating if their cannabis use “is imparing [their] memory or comprehension.” Otherwise, you should be in the clear.

Receiving Organ Transplants

The use of marijuana by organ transplant candidates and recipients is an unsettled issue; while eight states have made it illegal to deny organ transplants based on their cannabis use, other patients in various areas of the country can face denial. Some transplant centers have policies that disqualify individuals from transplant consideration if they use marijuana, while others may consider marijuana use on a case-by-case basis. One of the biggest concerns of doctors stems from the possibility of fungal infection, particularly aspergillus, which can lead to severe consequences for liver transplants in particular. However, researchers from the University of Alabama found that compared to a control group, cannabis use was not associated with greater mortality, infection or readmission amongst patients receiving a liver transplant between the years 2016 to 2021 that had tested positive for use. Those who work in heart transplants also worry about immunosuppression issues.

Unfortunately, such findings are not conclusive. Ultimately, the decision to consider a marijuana-using individual for organ transplantation will depend on the specific transplant center and the nature of the transplant being considered. It is important for individuals who are considering organ transplantation to be honest with their healthcare providers about their marijuana use, as it can have significant implications for their healthcare.

Owning Guns

Federal law prohibits individuals from purchasing or owning firearms if they are "an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance." While marijuana is legal for medicinal or recreational use in many states, it is still considered a controlled substance under federal law. As a result, individuals who use marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, can be barred from owning guns under federal law.

This, of course, has long been a sticking point among Republicans who chafe at anything that may violate the spirit of the Second Amendment. Bills such as the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act, authored by Rep. Alex Mooney and Rep. Steve Scalise, aim to close that loophole; a similar bill Mooney co-authored with Rep. Thomas Massie was announced in 2019. However, neither bill has been assigned to committee.