Traveling with Medical Cannabis
Intro
While traveling with medical cannabis in Maryland is legal, patients should take precautions to avoid violating any laws. Do you know the rules & regulations of traveling with medical cannabis?
Whether it’s driving, flying, or walking, if it contains THC (also known as tetrahydrocannabinol), traveling across state lines is not allowed! Read on to discover current rules & regulations as well as some other interesting information about traveling with cannabis.
Driving
While the MMCC (Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission) allows medical cannabis patients to travel anywhere within Maryland, there are some regulations that need to be followed. The main exception is any federal government property, it is still a violation of federal law which means you can’t possess any cannabis on government property. Some of the federal jurisdictions include:
· Airports
· Airlines
· Military Bases
· Interstate Highways
· Anywhere within 100 miles of a US border
Since medical cannabis is still in violation of federal law, once you cross state lines you are committing a federal crime. The State of Maryland laws can’t allow you to travel to other states with cannabis in your possession. Remember, a Maryland medical cannabis card will not provide a defense for transporting cannabis between states.
If you ever decide to drive with medical cannabis, it is recommended to keep your medical cannabis ID and/or a copy of your doctor’s recommendation on you. As patients, you are allowed to possess up to 4 ounces (or 120 grams) of dried flower and 1 ounce (or 36 grams) of THC-infused products.
Driving While Medicated
Driving under the influence of cannabis, no matter what state you are in, it is illegal. Even if a passenger has their medical card, it would be considered the same as an open container. You are required to wait a minimum of 2 hours after consuming medical cannabis before operating a motor vehicle.
Police have several ways of determining whether you are under the influence. While determining the intoxication levels can be tricky with cannabis, police have three ways:
1. A person blows under the legal limit for alcohol yet still seems impaired
2. The smell of cannabis lingers in the car or on the individual
3. Cannabis is discovered in the car or on the individual
The punishment for driving under the influence of cannabis could be fines, jail time, probation, and license suspension. The best thing is don’t take the risk and drive sober.
What To Do If Stopped by Law Enforcement
The best way to avoid any problems with law enforcement is to leave your medical cannabis at home, but if you decide to bring it with you here are some things you should know:
1. Be Polite.
2. Always have your medical cannabis identification card on you.
3. Keep the cannabis in original packaging.
4. You don’t need to consent to a search unless they have probable cause.
5. Keep a copy of your medical recommendation in your car.
6. Ask if you are being detained, if you are not, you have the right to leave.
You are legally allowed to carry medical cannabis, but law enforcement can still stop you. The police officer will most likely ask you to prove that you are allowed to carry medical cannabis, so follow some of the steps above to be prepared.
Flying With Cannabis
Flying with cannabis may be out of the question. Airports and airlines are under federal jurisdiction which means flying with cannabis is not allowed. TSA officers are required to report any violation of law to a law enforcement officer; this may result in anything from confiscation to being detained.
Conclusion
As you can tell, there are a lot of rules that need to be followed when traveling with cannabis. Whether it’s driving, flying, or walking, it’s smart to take the proper precautions when traveling. As medical cannabis laws are always changing, please check out the MMCC website for the latest updates on rules, regulations, and statutes.
At Peninsula Alternative Health, we have an incredible team who can help with any of your needs! We’re here to answer any questions you have along the medical cannabis journey, so feel free to visit us at 1003 Mt. Hermon Rd, Salisbury, MD today!