Question

What are some legal and ethical ramifications of not providing the transplant in the case of a medical marijuana user? What are some legal and ethical ramifications of actually going through with the transplant for a medical marijuana user?

Answer 1

Assembly Bill 258, The Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act, prohibits transplant centres from denying transplants to medical marijuana users solely based on drug usage. But marijuana interacts with immunosuppressant therapy. It also interferes with major enzymes that metabolize drugs like tacrolimus and cyclosporine.

Patients using cannabis as a coping mechanism for mental health or stress are different from those who use it for fun. Based on results from complete evaluation of patients, any type of marijuana use may contribute to denial of transplantation.

As long as medical marijuana use is legal and there is not a record of harm to your life, health or social functioning, it's not going to affect the transplantation.

Marijuana use include increased risk of use of other illicit substances leading to increased risk of affective disorders and psychosis, as well as impaired cognition and motor skills. Risk of fungal infections and possible effects on cellular immunity that may increase cancer risk have also been reported.