Traveling with Medical Cannabis: What You Need to Know

Medical marijuana is illegal in the United Kingdom, with the exception of a cannabis-based product. Despite the fact that more and more states allow medical marijuana, traveling between states with cannabis can leave patients in legal limbo. Sierra Riddle queued at the security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport with a bottle of THC oil tincture, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, in her bag. Riddle, 31, a nurse assistant from Southern Oregon, was traveling with her son Landon, 9, and uses medical marijuana to treat her severe nerve pain caused by chemotherapy, as well as her own chronic pain.

Now that 33 states allow some form of medical marijuana, it might seem like traveling with medical marijuana should be fairly easy. But there's a difference between state governments and the federal government, and if you don't know the rules, traveling with medical marijuana could lead to an arrest or, at the very least, a complicated legal gray area. Internationally, fines and punishments for possession of marijuana can be much more severe, and include long prison sentences or even execution for trafficking in large quantities. In a state where medical marijuana is legal, law enforcement officials will usually return it to you if you present your medical marijuana card.

Nearly 20 states accept medical marijuana authorizations from other states, but reciprocity laws vary from state to state. Greyhound Lines prohibits alcohol and drugs “anywhere on the bus (even in checked baggage)”. If you decide to drive with medical marijuana, be discreet. Many marijuana arrests begin when traffic stops.

The Transportation Security Administration has updated its rules for flying with medical marijuana, allowing travelers to now carry products such as cannabidiol oil, which contains less than 0.3 percent THC. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabis molecule that doesn't cause patients to get high. Passengers can bring products approved by the F, D, A in their checked or hand baggage. You can now get medical marijuana for anxiety in the UK.

A bottle of CBD oil or a pack of soft capsules are undoubtedly more discreet than CBD-rich medical cannabis buds. The Government of the Netherlands is the place where Dutch medical cannabis patients can find out about the relevant documents for traveling with medicines, such as the 30-day Schengen certificate. Finding a local source of legal medical cannabis can be as simple as contacting the dispensary or club through social media. If you need access to medical cannabis during your trips, you should plan your entire itinerary very carefully.

If you have a prescription for medical cannabis, you can take a trip abroad and take a 30-day supply of medicines with you. Patients with medical cannabis who carry medicines with them or in their luggage could face serious legal problems and even criminal charges. German medical cannabis patients must avoid a similar amount of red tape if they want to travel with their medication.

Emma Matthews
Emma Matthews

Meet Emma, a travel enthusiast from Aukland, now living in Great Britain, on a mission to share the world's wonders. Her blog is your passport to adventure, from London's charming cafes to the Scottish Highlands' rugged trails. Follow her for travel tips, cultural insights, and a dose of wanderlust. Join Emma on her quest to make every journey unforgettable!