It’s International Blood Donor Day!

And as Malta has moved towards regularising personal cannabis use, we were wondering – can cannabis smokers donate blood now? 

Responding to questions sent by the newsroom, a representative for the Health Ministry stated that while a blanket statement that covers all cases of blood donors can’t be given, social cannabis smokers can donate blood.

However, the same might not be the case for people who use cannabis frequently.

“If you are a regular cannabis user you might not be allowed to give blood- depends on the amount of use which is determined on a case-by-case basis, if you are a social smoker you can still give blood,” they said. 

Before one gives blood, a risk assessment needs to be undergone, which comes in the form of an interview through means of a questionnaire.

In this questionnaire, a series of deeply personal questions are asked, in an effort of making sure that the blood donated doesn’t go to waste.

“The risk is assessed during the donor interview and deferral is applied according to the risk identified,” the representative said. 

During this donor interview, the donor is asked whether they smoke and if yes, what they smoke. All of this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

And it seems that even though it might still not be possible for regular cannabis users to donate blood, Malta’s social smokers can!

Tag a social cannabis smoker that needs to know this