By Ayanna Lawson, CEO of Front Row Travels
Can you travel with cannabis? The short answer is, it depends. There are ways to travel with the plant, especially if you visit one of the many states allowing medical cannabis patients reciprocity (when states recognize an out-of-state certification and enable the plant’s purchase).
Having a medical card or certification while obeying local laws will keep you safe from criminal prosecution, but it’s important to understand the nuance before leaving for a trip. Check state (and country) websites for cannabis laws before you go. DISA.com has a great resource here.
Six things to consider when traveling with cannabis needs
- If you’re a cannabis patient, make and carry copies of your certification/card. Store it with your passport/ID/ travel documents.
- When traveling with cannabis, be mindful of the amount you are allowed to possess at your destination.
- If you must travel with flower, invest in an airtight traveling case.
- Before traveling to your destination, join travel Facebook groups(or other social media platforms) to ask questions. Social media is an excellent resource to find out where to find cannabis and the current social climate regarding cannabis.
- Pack edibles and tinctures (even if they’re not your usual method of consumption). They are less conspicuous than raw cannabis flower, and having some form of medication is better than having none.
- Be mindful that some destinations have zero tolerance when it comes to cannabis. Not only is possession illegal, but having it in your system may also be considered illegal (like in Dubai).
Ayanna Lawson is the owner & cannabis travel curator of Front Row Travels, LLC. Her mission is to break the stigma of medicinal plant, especially in the black community through travel & education. Visit frontrowtravels.com to learn more!
