Are you a medical cannabis user? Does the thought of travelling with medical cannabis stress you out? It shouldn’t.
Whether you’re visiting family for the holidays or going on summer vacation, it’s your right to travel wherever you want in this great country. Don’t let anything hold you back!
There’s no reason you should feel different or be treated differently for travelling with medical cannabis, so enjoy your trip. Don’t put up with the stigma surrounding this incredible plant!
However you choose to travel, this article will fill you in on what you need to know to help you minimize delays. Although the airport is really the only place where you’ll definitely need to verify that your cannabis is medical, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared when you hit the road.
Know Your Rights
You have the same rights as everyone else whether you’re travelling with medical cannabis or not.
Prepare for Your Trip
Pack your medical cannabis card and your registration documents along with your medical cannabis. Keep any medical cannabis products in their original packaging. That way it will be easy to tell that they came from a Licensed Producer.
If the police have a legitimate reason, they may ask you to verify that you’re a registered medical cannabis user. In that case, just show them your documents and you’ll be on your way in no time.
How Much Cannabis Can I Bring When Travelling with Medical Cannabis?
You can bring up to your 30-day limit when travelling.
If you plan to be gone for more than 30 days, you can order more cannabis to your destination – if that’s an option.
Flying with Medical Cannabis in Canada
Imagine you’re running late on your way to the airport. Luckily, you arrive just in time to make your flight. As you get to security, you feel relief – it looks like you’re going to make it!
Then, just as you’re heading for your gate, a screening agent tells you that your medical cannabis will need to be verified by police. The chances of making your flight just dropped significantly.
The fact is that if you’re flying, the screening staff will contact police to verify your status as a registered medical cannabis patient. You can’t blame them for doing their jobs, but that doesn’t mean you have to agree with the procedure.
Flying with medical cannabis is no different than flying with anything else prescribed by a healthcare practitioner. Although we may not be there yet, you can help make this a reality and make your flight on time.
You can show the world that the cannabis community makes no apologies for who we are. Think of it as setting an example for people who aren’t experienced with medical cannabis – airport staff included.
Tips for Flying With Medical Cannabis
These tips can help you make that happen:
(Note that these tips aren’t laws. You don’t have to follow them, but they will make your trip easier.)
- Pack your medical cannabis, registration papers, and medical cannabis card in an easy-to-reach place in your carry-on luggage. Keep them easily accessible and you’ll save time later.
- Arrive at the airport at least an hour earlier than you normally would. This will give you some extra time in case the airport staff isn’t experienced with medical cannabis.
- Be patient with the staff. Things don’t change overnight, and even though you shouldn’t be treated differently from others you don’t want to miss your flight.
- When you arrive at the airport, tell the screening staff at the pre-boarding checkpoint that you have medical cannabis. Request a private search for a more discrete screening.
- Give the staff your paperwork once inside the private screening area. They’ll contact the police to verify your status. This process can take some time, especially if there are no officers on site.
- Remember that although you are permitted to transport medical cannabis you cannot smoke or vape on an airplane and in most airports.
- Some people choose to call the airport ahead of time to ask about any special considerations. Some airports are still adjusting to the new laws and it’s good to be aware of any special circumstances before you arrive at the airport.
For more information on flying with cannabis in Canada, check out our in-depth guide to flying with medical cannabis in Canada.
Enjoy Your Trip
Being a medical cannabis patient doesn’t have to hold you back from enjoying our great country. With just a bit of extra planning, you can avoid some hassle and show Canada that the cannabis community has nothing to apologize for. Safe travels and bon voyage.