What You Need to Know About Traveling With a Medical Marijuana Identification Card

Your MMJ card will be valid in a reciprocal state since these states recognize and respect each other's laws. However, the number of reciprocating states is minimal, and several states, such as Florida and New York, do not accept medical cards issued in other states.

Find out if you need to enroll in the medical marijuana program of the state you'll be visiting to legally consume medicinal cannabis if you're visiting a state that offers medical marijuana reciprocity.

Medical Marijuana Legislation

The use of marijuana for both medical and recreational uses is now legal in the District of Columbia and 18 states as of November 2021. The medicinal use of cannabis has also been approved by 37 states, 4 territories, and DC as of February 2022.

Tens of thousands now have access to the medicinal marijuana they require in the form of vaporizers, tinctures, sprays, pill capsules, sweets, or topical applications, thanks to the state's comprehensive medical cannabis program. All-inclusive programs for using cannabis for medicinal purposes meet the following standards:

• The elimination of criminal sanctions for cannabis use

• Allows access to cannabis in a variety of forms and concentrations (THC) through home growing, dispensaries, or other systems

• Allows for the inhalation of cannabis in its many forms (plant and extracts)

• Is not part of a preliminary test run

However, using low THC, and high CBD products for medicinal purposes or as a legal defense has been legalized in 11 states. No form of marijuana is permitted under federal law, notwithstanding recent amendments that have legalized its medicinal and recreational usage.

Bringing Medical Marijuana on a Trip

Since the federal government regulates flights, it is now against the law to carry marijuana onboard an aircraft. However, the laws around medicinal marijuana and air travel remain unclear. CBD products (THC less than 0.3%) are allowed in carry-on luggage and checked bags. However, medicinal marijuana products are still banned at the federal level, as stated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Medical Marijuana and TSA Checkpoints

The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) checks are designed to detect any dangerous individuals who may board the airline. TSA agents are not looking for illicit substances but will contact local authorities if they encounter narcotics during a routine check. The TSA officer has the final say on whether or not any items pass past security. You might not have to worry about legal repercussions, but missing your trip or losing your medicinal marijuana might be disastrous.

Keep in mind that your medical marijuana card will only be recognized while traveling between states where the use of medicinal marijuana is permitted and where the states recognize cards from other states. Since marijuana is still a Schedule I drug, anybody planning to go to a state or country where it is legal should research the most recent laws and regulations. Penalties for cannabis trafficking are unlikely to be enforced, but those caught might face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. These kinds of punishments are often reserved for significant cannabis distributors.

Bringing Medical Marijuana on a Train

Regarding long-distance intercity train travel in the United States, there is now only Amtrak to rely on for reliable service. Even in nations and jurisdictions where recreational use is allowed or authorized for medicinal purposes, transporting marijuana in any form is illegal on all Amtrak trains, buses, and terminals.

Bringing Medical Marijuana on a Bus

When it comes to bus service in the United States, Greyhound dominates. Their prohibited goods list does not include medicinal marijuana. However, you still need to consider the laws of marijuana usage in states other than Florida, given that most individuals utilize Greyhound to travel across state boundaries. Depending on the quantity, you may also be breaking federal drug trafficking statutes. Drugs, including marijuana, have been recovered on many Greyhound buses in recent years. Greyhound bus travel with medicinal marijuana requires the same precautions as driving or flying with the drug.

Many more, smaller bus companies also exist around the country. Passengers are responsible for following the laws of the countries they travel to, regardless of the airline's restrictions regulating what may and cannot be brought on board. You should contact these service providers to learn about their unique prohibited product lists.

Bringing Medical Marijuana on a Ship

The U.S. Coast Guard strongly advises against smoking marijuana when in public. It's easy to accidentally cross state lines if you're not paying attention when navigating waterways. It would be best if you abode by the rules of the countries through which you cruise.

Marijuana for Medical Purposes and Overseas Travel

Many nations still enforce harsh penalties for drug offenders, even medicinal marijuana users. If you are found with marijuana in Bali, Indonesia, you will face some of the worst penalties in the world. The government of Bali imposes a mandatory minimum punishment of four years in jail for anyone found with any amount of marijuana, whether it be for medical or recreational use.

The sanctions for smuggling marijuana into other Asian countries, such as China, are also severe. There is a gray area between medicinal and recreational marijuana usage, even in nations like the Netherlands, where medical marijuana is permitted. If you lose your medical marijuana card while in Holland and are caught with more than five grams of cannabis, you may face criminal charges.

Can I Travel With My Medical Marijuana Card?

Remember that even if your state recognizes your medical marijuana card or has legalized recreational cannabis usage, the law in most places still requires cannabis products to be purchased within the state. The best action is to buy new items inside a state rather than risk breaking federal and state laws by transferring medicinal cannabis across borders.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana in Georgia

Medical cannabis is potentially beneficial for those who struggle with substance misuse. Even though this is still being investigated, it might be an affordable, safe option for people to work toward recovery.

Despite some delays, Georgia will soon have access to medical marijuana! We hope Georgia dispensaries should open their doors in 2023 to give patients the relief they deserve. If you are still determining if you qualify, we can help! Just give us a call.

You can reserve an evaluation online today with one of our compassionate cannabis doctors, and we'll make an appointment as soon as possible. Feel free to ask any questions in the meantime!