The medical marijuana program is beginning to flourish, and with new patients qualifying for Louisiana medical marijuana certifications every month, 2022 is set to be a big year for Louisiana cannabis.
While Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is kicking off the new year with new products like cannabis flower, patients are being approved for medical marijuana certifications faster than ever in the Pelican State.
Many new patients are wondering if they can travel with medical marijuana, and how to do so without breaking any rules. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling with cannabis in Louisiana!
Traveling with Cannabis – What’s Safe & What’s Not
Know the Laws!
Traveling with medical marijuana can be a tricky thing to maneuver, and staying within the boundaries of the law is always important.
While it might seem like traveling with medical cannabis is no big deal at first, in reality there are some fairly clear rules that patients need to follow in order to get the full benefits of the protections that are available for medical marijuana patients.
And although the laws are pretty straightforward, we’re not attorneys, so if you’re unsure if you’ll be breaking the law by traveling with your medical cannabis it’s best to consult an attorney, legal advisor, or law enforcement to make sure you’re staying completely legal.
How You Travel Matters!
Traveling with medical cannabis is actually very simple, and there are only a few major points you need to know about moving around with medical marijuana.
For starters, traveling with medical cannabis within the borders of your state is perfectly acceptable. You do this every time you shop at a medical marijuana pharmacy and drive the cannabis home, so you’re free to take your medical marijuana anywhere you like within the state you purchased it in.
But things get a little trickier when traveling out of state, and the same protections don’t necessarily apply.
How to Travel with Medical Marijuana
In-State Travel
Traveling with cannabis in the state you purchased it in is perfectly fine and no one bats an eye at it.
That goes for driving, public transportation, or any other means of local travel.
This doesn’t just apply to the state your medical marijuana certification is in though. For example, if you are in another state such as Colorado where recreational cannabis is legal, you can travel within Colorado with that cannabis.
The one thing to keep in mind is that marijuana of any kind (even when it’s medical) is Federally illegal. This means that you technically could catch legal trouble if you get busted with marijuana while visiting the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park or Cane River Creole.
Out of State Travel
Traveling out of state with medical cannabis is where it gets a little complicated. This is because of that tricky Federal law issue.
Even medical marijuana is still considered illegal as far as the Federal Government is concerned.
When you travel across state lines with cannabis of any kind, you are breaking a law that is under Federal jurisdiction.
So taking your cannabis from one state to another is a no-go, but there are easy alternatives.
Many states offer something called reciprocity, which means that they accept out of state medical marijuana certifications, allowing you to legally purchase your cannabis in the state you are traveling to.
That means you won’t have to travel across state lines with any cannabis at all, you can just purchase it when you arrive and use it while you are there!
Note: Not every state offers medical marijuana card reciprocity, so check the local and state laws before you decide to purchase cannabis while in another state.
Flying With Medical Marijuana
Private Charters Only
Flying with medical cannabis is usually a no-go. The TSA is a federal agency that is required to report any findings of federally illegal drugs to local authorities.
The TSA has a relatively loose policy on cannabis, so if you happen to have a small amount of medical cannabis by accident you may be asked to throw it away and likely won’t be prosecuted, but it is still breaking the law and the possibility for them to enforce the full potential of the law is always there.
The only circumstances in which you may find flying with cannabis appropriate would be in-state private charters, though it’s unlikely you’ll be chartering a private plane unless you’re making a serious entrance into Mardi Gras.
A Medical Marijuana Certification Keeps You Legal
Knowing the boundaries of the law is critical for medical marijuana cardholders because you want to be able to exercise your full rights as a patient.
But unintentionally breaking the law is still breaking the law, and your medical marijuana certification won’t protect you from willful or unintended ignorance of the law.
Getting a medical marijuana certification in Louisiana does offer you considerable legal protections to use and possess cannabis, and it is the only way to ensure you are compliant with the law.
While you may not be able to board your flight back home for the holidays toting a fresh batch of OG Kush, you won’t be arrested for driving in your state with cannabis, and you won’t have to worry about the legal problems with buying cannabis from the black market.
Having a medical marijuana certification offers the strongest legal protections for patients who use cannabis, and getting a medical marijuana certification is easier than ever.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
Traveling with medical marijuana isn’t as difficult as it might seem, and patients who have been approved for a medical marijuana certification in Louisiana have the fullest legal protection available.
Beat the lines and get your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana today, and you can even get certified for medical marijuana online for ease of use and convenience.
For questions about Louisiana’s medical marijuana program, or how to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana, consult with one of our trusted doctors and book an online medical marijuana appointment today!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Louisiana Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Louisiana!
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