Traveling with Medical Marijuana – What You Need to Know

With all the recent changes in laws about medical marijuana, traveling can be confusing for patients who are legally prescribed marijuana in their home states.  What are the laws for traveling with medical marijuana?  Is it legal to take medical marijuana on a flight or cruise?  Read on for what you need to know about traveling with medical marijuana. 

Can I Board a Flight With Medical Marijuana?

The short answer is no. 

While many states have legalized medical marijuana, it still remains illegal under federal law.  The official TSA policy allows CBD oil and FDA-approved cannabis products with less than 0.3% THC to be brought on carry-on and checked baggage on flights.  The TSA website states that while TSA officers are not instructed to look for drugs, if any illegal drugs are found during the screening process, TSA officers must refer the situation to local law enforcement.  Even if the states you are departing from and arriving in have legalized medical marijuana, airports are federal property.  The bottom line is– don’t risk flying with medical marijuana.  Until medical marijuana laws are uniform across the U.S., it remains a risky legal gray area. 

Flying Internationally
Traveling to other countries with medical marijuana is also prohibited.  Many countries such as Japan and the United Arab Emirates have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, including legally prescribed medical marijuana.

Driving Out of State
This is another legal gray area.  Since laws are not uniform across the country, crossing state lines with medical marijuana can be considered drug trafficking under federal laws.  States without medical marijuana laws can also arrest patients under possession laws.

Possible Exceptions
Even if you are driving from your home state to an adjoining state where medical marijuana is also legal, there are still some guidelines to consider when traveling out of state with medical marijuana.  You should first research medical marijuana laws in the state you are traveling to.  Some states have reciprocity laws and recognize medical marijuana cards issued by the patient’s home state, however you will still have to register in the state you are traveling to. 

Tips for driving out of state with medical marijuana:

Only bring the amount you need for your trip and never travel with whole plants. 

Store your medical cannabis in the trunk or somewhere out of reach. 

Always travel with your patient registry card. 

Medical Marijuana & Cruising
All major cruise lines currently prohibit any illegal drugs including medical marijuana onboard.  If you are found in possession of medical marijuana, you risk your removal from the ship and possible arrest and prosecution by the foreign jurisdiction of the local authorities, as well as a hefty fine.

Staying at a Hotel with Medical Marijuana
This is another no.  Nearly all hotels are nonsmoking and this includes smoking medically prescribed marijuana. 

Bottom line: traveling with medical marijuana remains a legal gray area and you are taking a risk crossing state lines with it–even if you hold a valid medical marijuana patient registry card.  Your best bet is to research medical marijuana laws at your destination and, if possible, obtain it legally in the state you are traveling to. 

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