Minneapolis, MN: A history of cannabis use is not associated with any greater risk of adverse outcomes among kidney transplant recipients, according to data published in the journal Clinical Transplantation.
Investigators with the Minneapolis-based health care clinic chain Hennepin Healthcare assessed the impact of marijuana and tobacco consumption on over 900 kidney transplant recipients.
Authors reported that a history of tobacco use was associated with an elevated risk of adverse outcomes, but that the use of cannabis alone was not.
They concluded, "Marijuana use should not be an absolute contraindication to kidney transplant."
Their findings are consistent with those of prior studies concluding that a history of cannabis use is not contraindicated in patients receiving organ transplants. Nonetheless, it remains hospital policy in various jurisdictions to automatically disqualify medical cannabis patients from being eligible to receive organ transplants.
For more information, contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director. Full text of the study, "Marijuana use should not preclude consideration for kidney transplantation," appears in Clinical Transplantation.