With the recent developments in the world of pot laws regarding marijuana for medical use, a lot of conditions can now legally be treated with a much better alternative than prescription meds. If you’re currently prescribed with medical marijuana, and you have an upcoming trip, you might be concerned with the legality of flying with your medicine. At Woodstock Medicinal Doctors of Florida, we can help shed light on this scenario so that you know how to properly prepare for your next trip. When you need an MMJ doctor, we can help in The Villages, FL.
Can I Fly with Medical Marijuana?
The short answer is “no.” For one, it’s important to remember that not every state has legalized marijuana for medicinal use as of yet. If you’re driving, for example, once you cross into a state where it is not legal, you could run into trouble if you get pulled over. In this case, it won’t matter whether or not you have your medical card. To make matters worse, when you fly, you’re subjected to the purview of federal law, where marijuana is viewed as a Schedule I drug. This means it’s considered illegal even when traveling between two states where it is legal for medical and/or recreational use.
All that said, there is a small exception. If a product contains no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis, or has been approved by the FDA based on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 can fly. This is a very niche and restrictive exception, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.
The TSA on Pot Laws
On April 20, 2019, the TSA made a public Instagram statement regarding marijuana and travel, effectively stating that TSA officers at airports are not searching for cannabis or illegal drugs when searching through belongings, but potential threats. Despite this, they are required to notify local law enforcement if marijuana cannabis-infused products are found, even if for medicinal use. From there, it’s up to the local law enforcement’s discretion on how to handle the case. This effectively puts you up to the mercy of the local officers on what happens from there.
What Can I do if I rely on Medical Marijuana?
Based on the TSA’s statement, there’s the assumption that either sneaking marijuana through the TSA isn’t particularly difficult, since it isn’t something they’re concerned with, or that even if they do discover it, the local law enforcement may be lenient, especially if someone has a medical card with them. That said, these are all exactly that–assumptions, and that makes them very risky. You don’t know what exactly will happen, and there’s a chance that, depending on the circumstances, you could be faced with legal ramifications.
Because of this, we do not advice that anyone attempt to fly with marijuana in their possession until the federal law catches up and fully legalizes cannabis. Instead, what you should do if you’re planning a trip is to seek your local MMJ doctor. Speak with them about the circumstances, and depending on your destination, they may be able to help you find a solution. If you’re headed to a state where Marijuana is legal, they might prescribe for you a small dosage you can pick up at a dispensary at your destination. If you’re headed to a state where it isn’t yet legal, then they might be able to provide a temporary alternative prescription for the duration of your trip.
Contact Us for an MMJ Doctor
If you’re planning on flying in the near future, and you currently rely on medical marijuana, you’ll want to speak with a doctor to properly prepare. For residents of Orlando, Jupiter, Stuart, or The Villages, FL, contact us today so that we can help you best handle your situation while staying legal to pot laws.
