Summertime is finally here, and we’re all in need of a bit of a break. If you’re now in a position where one of the items on your checklist is medical cannabis, you may be unaware of the conditions affecting travel abroad with what is still an illegal substance in most countries in the world. This article will give you a bit of a rundown surrounding the legality of travel with cannabis, along with where you should completely avoid to prevent legal trouble.
Can you travel from the UK with medical cannabis?
It largely depends on where you’re travelling to.
If you’re travelling within the UK – You can legally travel within the country (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) with your prescribed medical cannabis – but we would absolutely recommend you to keep your legal documentation with you, just in case you’re questioned.
International travel – There’s a huge variation from country to country, on what’s legal and illegal. We’ll detail some of the most common countries for travel with cannabis, as well as places you should absolutely avoid, but you need to do your own research on local laws if you plan to travel with a controlled substance.
Countries where you can travel with medical cannabis (with proper documentation)
While some countries will allow you to travel with prescribed cannabis, there are almost always parameters that caveat entry. These might include special permits or declarations in advance.
In Europe
Germany – Allows certain medical cannabis prescriptions, but you must apply for permission, as consumption is usually restricted to the country’s social clubs.
Italy – Medical cannabis is legal but travelling with it may require additional paperwork.
Netherlands – Medical cannabis is legal, but importing it may require special approval. Although, the country is rife with licensed, regulated coffeeshops, should you need to access medication there.
Portugal – Has a regulated medical cannabis system; where the substance is completely decriminalised and available for medical use. Contact their embassy for specific importation rules.
Denmark – Allows medical cannabis via the medicines Sativex, Marinol and Nabilone with strict documentation. Advised health authority contact prior to travel.
Outside of the EU
Canada – Has a well-established medical cannabis programme, but you must declare it and comply with local regulations.
Australia – Medical cannabis is legal, but you need explicit approval to import your prescription.
New Zealand – Allows travel with medical cannabis in some cases, but you must obtain advance permission.
Uruguay – Cannabis has been completely decriminalised since 2013, even on a recreational level, although illegal for tourists to purchase over there. You should contact their embassy beforehand for extra peace of mind.
Stipulation, but should be avoided to be certain
Argentina, Barbados, Bermuda, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Lebanon, Malawi, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, St Vincent, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe – Cannabis is legal in all for medical use, but all have different factors and local laws affecting travel-ability.
If you plan on travelling to any of these countries, make sure you contact the relevant embassy or health authority, plenty of time in advance, to get written approval. Upon airport arrival (unless instructed otherwise from authority), make sure you have your prescription and doctor’s letter stating your medical need handy. Ensure your medication is in its original packaging, with your name clearly visible.
Countries where travel with cannabis should be avoided
In plenty of countries cannabis is still strictly prohibited throughout, regardless of its intended use. Some penalties being very serious and not worth the risk.
The Middle East is known as possibly the strictest region in the world regarding drug control, particularly regarding travel. As a whole, the area is completely zero-tolerance, with punishments including long prison sentences or even the death penalty. While the whole region is a red zone, you should specifically avoid The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran.
Harsh drug laws are also prominent across Asia, although with being such a large continent, it’s harder to judge as a whole. Some countries that absolutely should be avoided, however; include China, where detention and a fine is a likely punishment, Japan, who are known to imprison individuals for possession, Indonesia, who enforce jail time or mandatory rehabilitation, and Malaysia, who until very recently had a mandatory death penalty for drug traffickers.
Africa is a peculiar case, as cannabis is widely used throughout and punishment is supposedly unenforced in many countries. Although, this doesn’t eliminate the potential risk of going against local laws – especially in controlled areas such as airports. Mauritius, Ethiopia & Burkina Faso, for example, should be avoided with medical cannabis for the time being.
Although more relaxed, you should still take precaution in the Caribbean & South American region. Jamaica, for example, has amended cannabis laws in recent times including decriminalisation – although rules for tourists are uncertain. Venezuela enforce prison time or compulsory rehab for cannabis possession, while Guyana‘s laws are similar.
Tips for travelling with medical cannabis
Check the laws in advance. Contact the embassy or the country you wish to travel to, at least a month before you travel. Establish whether they allow importation of UK-prescribed medical cannabis and what documentation is needed, as well as whether it needs to be declared prior to arrival.
Get official documentation. Including a doctor’s letter; which clearly states your name, condition, medication & dosage, a copy of your prescription with your pharmacy details on, where necessary official approval from the destination country’s health authorities.
Keep your medication in its original packaging. Don’t transfer it to unmarked containers, or obscure your name.
Travel with a limited supply. Most countries have limits on how much medication you can bring (often 30 days’ supply). Higher quantities lead to aroused suspicions, with excessive amounts potentially resulting in denial to the host country or prosecution.
Don’t travel with cannabis flower unless unavoidable. Even if it’s legal in said country, oils and capsules are far easier to travel with than flower, due to the illegal connotations associated with the smell and appearance.
Avoid stopovers in countries where cannabis is illegal. While your final destination may allow medical cannabis, that doesn’t mean the same rules apply in any stopover countries. Common stopover countries include UAE, Singapore and Qatar, all of which not only criminalise cannabis, but have some of the harshest punishments and highest rates of enforcement.
Alternatives to travelling with medical cannabis
Don’t risk it. Never try to smuggle a controlled substance into a country where it’s banned, regardless of the amount. The consequences could be a lot more serious than not having a holiday.
Talk to your doctor or specialist about alternative medications. Your doctor may be able to recommend alternative pain relief or anxiety medications that are legally available in your destination country.
Check if you can get a local prescription. Some countries have their own medical cannabis programmes. If you’re staying for an extended period, you may be able to see a local doctor for a prescription.
Use CBD-Only products if allowed. Some countries, such as India and Hungary, allow CBD-only products with no THC. Check the regulations in your destination country.
If you have any questions about alternatives, risks, or the procedure of travelling with medical cannabis it’s better to be safe than sorry. Our specialists are always on hand to talk through any queries or uncertainties that you may have, feel free to book in a consultation with a member of our team for a bit of peace-of-mind.
Is it worth the risk?
To summarise, quite frankly, travelling abroad with medical cannabis is a risky and complicated process. The world is still slowly warming to the idea of using cannabis as a medication, and in a lot of instances the risk outweighs the reward. The safest approach is to check the laws in advance and get written permission if required, and to never assume that your UK prescription is valid in another country.
The medical cannabis industry is constantly evolving, as are the rules and regulations in different nations, thus what is applicable in this moment is very unlikely to remain exactly the same this time next year. Best practice is to do reasonable research before your travels, specifically for the nation you wish to enter, and any stipulations along the way. If you want to keep close tabs on how things are developing, subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest information and law changes that might affect you.
