Can I Travel With Medical Cannabis?

While medical cannabis has been legalised in every state of Australia, it is not legal to use cannabis medicinally in every part of the world. Several countries forbid the use of cannabis in any capacity. Even countries where it is legal to travel with medicinal cannabis may have different rules and regulations regarding its transportation and use.

Patients should be advised to research the rules and restrictions of the country they are visiting before departing. They can contact the consulate or embassy of where they are travelling to in order to check the laws and regulations on medicinal cannabis. It is recommended to always keep medication in the original container, along with the prescription and pharmacy dispensing details ready to present, if required.

Can you take medical cannabis on a plane?

Whether medical cannabis can be taken on a plane will depend on where the patient is travelling to, if they are travelling internationally or domestically, as well as the form of the medical cannabis they are carrying.

Domestic vs overseas flights

Patients who have legally been prescribed medical cannabis are permitted to carry their prescribed medication on their flight, if travelling interstate in Australia. Again, as each state has its own legislation and protocol around the prescription of medicinal cannabis, patients should travel with ID, prescription and the necessary paperwork, in case they are questioned. Patients can also contact the airline they are travelling with for more information.

It is advisable to ensure medication is in its original packaging when travelling, with pharmacy labels fully visible. Patients could also request a letter from their doctor outlining the details of their prescription. 

Patients travelling overseas with medical cannabis should check with their airline carrier as to whether there are any restrictions about what can be brought aboard the flight. Some airlines, particularly those who are the national carriers for countries where medicinal cannabis is not permitted, may have restrictions on what can be brought on board. 

Please note that no vaping is allowed on airplanes so even though a patient may be able to carry their medication on a flight, they will not be allowed to inhale it via a vaporiser.

As well as researching the rules and restrictions of the country they are visiting, patients should also note the country regulations for any stopovers where they make connecting flights. For example, the UAE has very strict medication restrictions and is a common stopover destination for Australians heading to Europe.

Patients should always seek advice before travelling overseas with medical cannabis, or any other medication.

Should medical cannabis be in checked-in or carry-on luggage?

There are no firm rules around whether patients should travel with their medical cannabis in their hand luggage, or whether they should check it in. It’s worth remembering that, just as with any other medication that is checked in, patients will not then have access to their prescription for the entirety of the flight. 

Products that contain lithium, such as Vape Cartridge Devices, cannot be included in checked-in luggage and will have to be carried onto the plane, subject to the rules of the airline and the arrival and departure country.

Any product that contains a liquid will be subject to the current rules regarding the amount of liquid that can be taken into an aeroplane cabin. As the legislation evolves, patients should continue to check for updates, and contact the embassy and consulate of where they’re visiting, as well as the airline.

There is also a risk that the luggage with the medication in it could be lost or misplaced.

How should I store medical cannabis when travelling?

When travelling with their prescribed medical cannabis, in any form, it should be stored in its original packaging, along with the original prescription. 

For CBD oil or any other oil/tincture when travelling abroad, it’s recommended to securely wrap the bottle to prevent damage to the product or leakage.

What should I ensure before I travel?

Patients should ensure they have safely secured their medical cannabis in their carry-on luggage, with the corresponding paperwork. They should make sure the product is in its original packaging, with the pharmacy label clearly visible. They should also carry their prescription and ID, making sure that the ID matches up to the prescription and the label on the packaging.

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