Marijuana Use

Among the unexpected reasons that organ transplants are denied, marijuana use is one of them. Currently, 36 states permit the use of medical marijuana, with half allowing recreational use. A number of countries around the world have also legalized, or at the very least decriminalized, its use in a variety of situations.

Despite their legality, transplants have been denied to people who used them as legally prescribed. Timothy Garon died after being refused a liver transplant due to his marijuana use. The hospital claimed that it was not the only factor in determining eligibility for any patient, but Garon's lawyer disagreed.

Garon's doctor had prescribed marijuana to help him deal with nausea and pain associated with his condition. The hospital said he needed to stop taking the drug for six months, but he didn't even have that long. They suggested a 60-day program, but his condition was also too advanced for that.