Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card can be more involved than some patients anticipate. While being able to provide a valid medical marijuana card can get you into your local state medical program, it does not automatically mean you have carte blanche for carrying cannabis wherever you travel.
The legal issues related to your state laws, federal laws, transport laws, and international laws will come into play as you Travel With a Medical Marijuana Card.
Remember one simple rule: your medical marijuana card and your marijuana products do not always get the same treatment. Your out-of-state status may be acknowledged by a state law, but that does not mean the feds will not be able to interfere with your transportation.
This friendly guide tells you everything you need to know about Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card.
Is Travel Possible with a Medical Marijuana Card?
It depends on where you go and how you travel.
Traveling with a Medical Marijuana Card within your own state might depend on the possession and transportation laws of that particular state. However, when you travel outside your state, things might get a bit complicated.
Medical marijuana card issued by one state is not automatically applicable to all other states.
While some states permit visiting patients of medical cannabis to use their cards from out-of-state under their programs known as medical marijuana reciprocity, other states do not even recognize the out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
Even if your destination state recognizes your patient status, it doesn’t mean that you will be able to transport the cannabis products into your destination state from your home state because of its classification as Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
That is why it is important to check the laws before you make your trip.
Reciprocity Between States When Traveling with a Medical Marijuana Card
Medicinal cannabis reciprocity usually means a state offers some form of recognition for those with a card from a different state.
There are variations of reciprocity depending on where you go.
It can be one or more of the following:
- Recognition of your card for possession.
- Permission to purchase medicinal cannabis as a visitor.
- Advance registration required.
- Licensing for purchasing limited amounts.
- Acceptance of only specific medical conditions.
- Non-recognition of your card.
These requirements can vary from time to time so it is best to verify the official government medicinal cannabis program of your destination before planning any trip.
This is important because Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card doesn’t necessarily mean you will be allowed to purchase or have possession of medicinal cannabis.
It depends upon the destination and your card can just be a supporting document there.
Driving With Medical Cannabis
A road trip might seem more straightforward than flying, but a road trip that involves carrying cannabis needs just as much preparation.
The first thing to understand is the difference between having a medical marijuana card and transporting cannabis products.
If you plan on taking your road trip only through the territory of a state where you are authorized to possess medical marijuana, then you need to comply with the rules of that particular state.
Once you cross a state border, different rules will apply.
Marijuana still remains classified as a controlled substance under federal law, which means that even in the states where cannabis has been legalized, there is no right to transport it across state lines.
Never Drive Under the Influence
Having a medical marijuana card doesn’t mean you’re authorized to drive under the influence.
Cannabis affects reaction time, concentration, coordination, and decision-making. Don’t drive if you’ve consumed cannabis and consider yourself possibly impaired.
Perhaps it’s best to think about an alternative way to get around.
When Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card by Car, Safety Comes First.
Can You Fly With Medical Marijuana?
Air travel is one of the most typical sources of confusion for patients of medical cannabis.
The TSA is a government agency, and TSA claims that cannabis and some cannabis-infused products are still illegal under federal law, unless these are qualifying hemp-derived products containing not more than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis or FDA-approved products.
Moreover, TSA states that the agents working for it are mainly concerned about aviation safety and do not conduct searches looking for marijuana or any other illegal drugs. However, if any illegal substances are found during the search procedure, the TSA may alert law enforcement.
That means that Having a Medical Marijuana Card does not grant you permission to fly with THC cannabis under TSA regulations.
Nor does it matter that both the departure state and the destination state have legal cannabis programs.
Before flying, make sure to learn the latest guidelines issued by TSA, the airline, the airport, and the state laws at the destination point.
Medical Marijuana and Federal Law
One of the most significant issues regarding Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card is the difference between state laws and federal laws.
Although several states have medical cannabis programs, the drug is still classified as a controlled substance at the federal level.
The difference becomes especially significant when traveling:
- Between states
- By plane
- By federally regulated modes of transport
- Across international borders
Your medical marijuana card will make cannabis legal under state laws, but it will not change anything at the federal level.
For this reason, patients should not rely on their medical documentation to make cannabis legal wherever they travel.
Traveling Internationally With Medical Marijuana
Even more care needs to be taken for international travels.
An American medical marijuana card is not an automatic license to enter a different country with the drug.
The Department of State advises American travelers to consult the medical guidelines of the foreign embassies of each nation to which he plans to travel. This includes those nations which might have certain prohibitions concerning the transport of marijuana even on a medical permit basis.
This guideline applies to layovers and connecting flights as well.
Cannabis Transport Across Canada Border
The Canada example should be particularly relevant for American travelers.
Although cannabis is legalized in Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency claims that crossing the Canadian border by transporting the drug without proper authorization is illegal. Even if you are authorized to use it for medical purposes, transport is still considered criminal conduct.
The only safe way is never to make assumptions about the legalization of cannabis at the destination being the right for crossing the borders.
It is always necessary to consult the official rules for the particular country when preparing for an international trip.
Documentation to Have While Traveling with Medical Marijuana Card
While documentation will not take precedence over transportation or federal laws, organizing your medical information may prove beneficial if it is within your legal rights to possess or purchase cannabis.
Based on your circumstances, it might be wise to carry:
- Medical marijuana ID card, where applicable.
- Government-issued photo ID.
- Medical information.
- Information on how to contact your healthcare provider.
- Information related to the destination state’s medical marijuana program.
Always ensure your personal medical information is secured.
Remember, having your information in hand does not mean you can transport cannabis legally between jurisdictions.
What About Trains, Buses, and Other Modes of Transportation?
Air travel is far from the only instance where prior planning is essential.
If you will be traveling by:
- Intercity buses
- Train passengers
- Cruise ships
- Rentals
- Rideshare companies
Make sure to find out about the policy of the particular transportation carrier before your journey.
A transportation carrier could have a policy of its own forbidding any cannabis usage or possession regardless of whether cannabis is legal locally.
Cruise travel is particularly complicated since cruise ships might pass through different jurisdictions and ports around the world.
When Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card, do not presume your medical cannabis status exempts you from the policy of a particular transportation company.
What to Find Out Before Your Journey
Some pre-trip planning can keep things from getting too crazy.
Before Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card, do your homework on:
1. The Laws in Your Destination State
See if your destination state has:
- A medical marijuana program.
- Reciprocity for patients from other states.
- Regulations requiring visitors to register.
- Limits on how much you can have.
2. Your Route of Travel
If you’re traveling by car, find out about the laws in the states you will be going through—not just your destination state.
3. Transport Policies
Learn about transport policies for:
- Airlines
- Airports
- Buses
- Trains
- Cruise Ships
4. International Travel Policies
If you are traveling abroad, get official information from the government and embassies before you travel.
According to the U.S. Department of State, it is important to make sure your medications are legal in every country you will be visiting or passing through.
Friendly Safety Tips for Medical Cannabis Patients
Below are just a couple of tips to remember:
- Plan things in advance, and do not make hasty decisions.
- Consult legitimate resources, and do not just depend on social media.
- Make sure that your marijuana card is valid.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs.
- Learn about all places that you are going to visit.
- Know that reciprocity does not mean that it is legal to take cannabis across state lines.
- Read the policy of the transportation service before getting on board.
- Be extra careful when traveling internationally.
Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card laws keep changing.
The Bottom Line
Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Card is possible, but your card will not grant you permission to carry medical marijuana everywhere you go.
State Reciprocity can make it possible for some people to use the medical marijuana program in other states, but each program has its own rules and limitations.
Federal laws can make it difficult to transport marijuana on an airplane or cross state lines, while going across borders can cause additional problems.
The best thing to do is plan ahead, check official regulations at every location you visit, and remember that having a medical marijuana card does not mean you are above the law at the location you are visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I able to travel with my medical marijuana card?
Yes, but whether your card will be considered or recognized depends on the regulations in your new location.
Am I allowed to transport my medical marijuana across state lines?
Due to federal laws governing marijuana, transporting medical marijuana across state lines may pose some problems, even if the destination state has a reciprocity program for medical marijuana patients.
Am I able to fly with medical marijuana?
According to TSA, marijuana and some cannabis-infused products are still federally illegal, except for qualifying hemp products and FDA-approved products.
Does TSA check specifically for marijuana?
According to TSA, its screening process is aimed at assessing security threats only, and no specific checks for marijuana are conducted.