Traveling With Medical Marijuana: Guide & Tips

Do you use marijuana medicinally or for recreational purposes? Well, you might come from a jurisdiction where pot is legal and need to travel to a place where it is not; this will present a challenge. Again, even if you want to travel to a place where weed is legal from a place where it is not, there are still some restrictions on the way you travel with weed. Traveling with medical marijuana is not easy because, in most parts of the world, weed is still considered legal. Again, even when you are traveling with weed to a place such as Canada (where weed is legal), you might, however, need to show the necessary documents. 

Read on to learn more about traveling or flying with medical marijuana.

Traveling With Medical Marijuana In Canada: Tips

Anyone above the age of 18 can take cannabis in Canada. However, it is still illegal for anyone to transport cannabis and products, including extracts, wax, tinctures, edibles, and topicals across the Canadian border. You cannot travel to Canada with cannabis, and you cannot leave the country with cannabis. The restriction applies even for those with a prescription, those from jurisdictions where weed is legal and even those carrying very small amounts of weed. Those entering Canada and are carrying cannabis or products of cannabis must inform the Canada Border Services Agency. Failure to declare possession of medical marijuana at the border is a serious offense that could leave you in jail.

Bring Documentation

When you travel to Canada, bring your official document, including your doctor’s prescription. When you are declaring possession of cannabis at the border, officials might need to see your doctor’s recommendation. You also need to have your medical I.D. at all times and have your physician’s number ready in case the authorities need to verify your claims.

Make Sure You Are Of Legal Age

The legal age for cannabis use in Canada is 18 for most provinces. However, it would help if you were careful as the legal age differs from one province to the next. You can check the legal age to use cannabis on the Canadian government website. If you are traveling to Quebec, watch out as the government already has plans to raise the legal age from 18 to 21. 

Ensure Your Trip Does Not Involve Crossing International Borders

Whether you are entering or leaving Canada, you should not take cannabis with you. Can you take medical marijuana on a plane? Yes, as long as it does not involve crossing any international borders. Again, when flying with medical marijuana, you can only take a certain amount. 

In most countries, pot is illegal. If you are trying to travel internationally with pot or any amount, you could face criminal charges at home and abroad. Traveling with medical marijuana into a country where weed is legal might see you denied entry into that country in the future.

Traveling With Weed In America: Tips

Many states in the U.S. are yet to legalize weed. Again, weed is illegal federally. This way, it becomes challenging traveling with weed. Like in Canada, you cannot enter or leave the U.S. with weed or any product of weed, such as edibles and wax (learn more about wax and dab rigs on Vaporizer Chief). Again, the laws that apply to residents in different states may not apply to visitors. As such, when you are searching, “can you take medical marijuana on a plane in America” be sure to check laws that apply to visitors. Read on to learn more.

Remember Marijuana Is Illegal Federally

The federal government of the U.S. still classifies marijuana as a controlled substance. This means that when you transport marijuana or products or marijuana across state lines is committing a crime. If you are caught, you are charged with a federal crime of drug trafficking. You could spend five years in jail and part with $250,000 for the first offense.

Crossing Some State Lines With Any Type Of Weed Is A Felony

In the U.S., you need to understand the laws in all the states you will be traveling to or through. Some states allow you to come with cannabis from other states, while others do not allow. Even when you have a medical marijuana card, traveling with medical marijuana in some states might have you arrested.

In some states, such as Arkansas, you will need to sign up for a medical marijuana program. You might also have to pay a nonrefundable fee before flying with medical marijuana in some states. You also need to take note of purchasing limits, which can be different for residents and visitors. In Oregon, for instance, residents can purchase and possess up to 24 ounces of cannabis, but visitors can only possess an ounce. 

Bring Your Medical ID and Physician’s Number

At all times, you need to have a medical marijuana card even when visiting states where weed is legal for recreational use. Your physician’s number comes in handy in case the authorities need to confirm details on your prescription or medical card. Can you take medical marijuana on a plane? With a medical card, some states allow you to carry a limited amount of medical cannabis. 

Contact A Lawyer Before Flying With Medical Marijuana

Do you need to know the laws on medical marijuana fast? The easiest way to know the laws that matter and to get an interpretation of the laws on medical marijuana is to call a lawyer. They will explain bits that might not be clear to you and tell you all you need to do to ensure that you are not arrested in your state of the visit.

Conclusion

It is easier to travel without weed, especially in the U.S., where different states have different programs. However, if you must carry your prescription weed, learn all the laws of the states you will visit or pass through. If in Canada, learn the laws that regulate weed in all the provinces you will visit. This way, you will be safe from arrests. If you only need weed for recreational purposes, you can wait until after traveling.