Does marijuana show in a hemoglobin test?

Answer 1

Well yes and no...

Hemoglobin may be higher than normal because smoking marijuana or tobacco (carbon monoxide) over time may result in lower blood oxygen levels, which may also cause a higher red blood cell count.

However, determining whether or not a higher than normal hemoglobin count is due to smoking marijuana and not tobacco or a genetic predisposition, heart or lung disease, dehydration, living at higher elevations (lower oxygen) and/or a list of many other disorders is impossible.  Higher hemoglobin and red blood cell counts are symptoms and not causes.  Additional tests are required to determine the cause of the higher than normal hemoglobin count.

Normal hemoglobin for males is 13.5-17.5 grams/deciliter and 12.0-15.5 grams/deciliter for females.