Cannabis Use and Blood Donation

Frequently Asked Questions

If I use cannabis, can I donate blood?
Yes.

Does donating blood involve a test for cannabis?
No.

Can I donate blood while under the influence of cannabis?
No. We cannot draw blood from you if you are under the influence of any substance
like alcohol or cannabis. If you appear visibly under the influence, you will be asked
to come back another time.

If I smoke cannabis, how long does it stay in the bloodstream?
Cannabis is rapidly absorbed from smoke and its effects are rapidly felt, peaking about 10 to 15 minutes after use. The active compound clears from the bloodstream after two or three hours.

If I consume cannabis edibles, how long does it stay in the bloodstream?
Edibles take longer to absorb and appear in the bloodstream about 40 minutes
after use. They peak more slowly, and the active compound takes approximately
four hours to be cleared from the bloodstream.

How long after using cannabis can I donate blood?
We recommend that you wait 24 hours between using cannabis and donating blood.

Does donated blood from a cannabis user following the guidelines above pose any threat to a blood recipient?
No.

Blood donation takes about an hour and each donation can help up to three people in the Pacific Northwest. The actual donation time is only about 10 minutes. Most people in good health are eligible to donate blood every 56 days. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood.

Donors can find locations of donor centers and drives or make appointments online at BloodworksNW.org.