6 min read
Patrick Bawn
The last thing that any of us want when travelling is extra stress. Everyone should have the freedom to feel safe and secure when travelling, no matter what their medical needs may be. Unfortunately, though, this isn't always seamless for medical cannabis patients.
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Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since November 2018. But travelling with it still takes a little extra planning, especially if you’re heading abroad.
So, to help ease your worries and help you travel with more confidence, we’ve put together this quick guide on how to request a travel certificate for your Releaf-prescribed medical cannabis.
But first, let’s start by answering one of the most important questions.
The short answer is no.
There are still many countries where cannabis is illegal regardless of whether it's used medicinally or recreationally. And in countries where cannabis is permitted for medical purposes, there are often strict laws and regulations centred around tourists entering the country with prescribed, controlled drugs like medical cannabis.
Within the UK, you can travel with your prescribed medical cannabis anywhere, including Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
When taking it abroad, the rules vary a lot from country to country. Some allow it with the right paperwork, some require authorisation before you travel, and others don’t allow it at all.
To check the latest guidance for your destination, take a look at the Destination Advice tab in the Travelling section of your Patient Dashboard.
Not always, but it’s strongly recommended.
Whether you choose a digital or printed version, a travel certificate helps confirm that your medication has been legally prescribed to you. If you’re ever stopped or questioned, such as at customs or a security checkpoint, it may help the process run more smoothly.
While a travel certificate can’t guarantee your entry into another country, it can help prove to the authorities that you’re a legal medical cannabis patient in the UK.
Releaf patients can request a travel certificate through the Travelling section of the Patient Dashboard, or by contacting our support team.
PLEASE BE AWARE:
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To access the Patient Dashboard, simply log in by clicking the Log In button in the top right corner of the Releaf homepage using the email and password you used to create your Releaf account (check the image above for a guide).
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Once you’ve logged in, select Travelling from the menu, then open the Documents tab to find the travel certificate form.
Enter your passport number, followed by your forename and surname.
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Next, add the details of your journey, including your date of travel, destination and flight or transport number.
While you’re preparing to travel, it’s also worth looking at how to store medical cannabis properly, by keeping it in its original, labelled pharmacy packaging.
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If you are travelling to more than one destination, click the "Add another journey" button. You can do this as many times as necessary to add all of your destinations.
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Once the form is complete, choose whether you’d like a printed or digital certificate.
A printed certificate is physically signed by your prescribing clinician and sent directly to your door. It takes 3 working days to process, then 2 to 5 days by post.
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A digital certificate is ready to download straight to your device once it’s been processed. It doesn’t include a physical signature, but you can print it out to carry with your other travel documents.
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And that’s it! You’ll find all your previously issued certificates in the My Certificates tab, where you can download them again at any time you need.
Below is an example of a Releaf medical cannabis travel certificate that includes one destination.
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Alongside your travel certificate, make sure to carry:
Always carry your medication in your hand luggage, never in the hold.
According to GOV.UK, medicines containing controlled drugs must be carried in hand luggage when entering or leaving the UK, and may be taken away at the border if you can’t prove they were prescribed to you.
Only take what you need for your trip, and don’t return to the UK with more than three months’ supply. Since we can’t deliver to addresses outside the UK, make sure you plan ahead and reorder within your monthly allowance before you go, if you need to.
Rules can also vary between airlines, so it’s worth checking with yours before you fly.
Requesting a Releaf travel certificate is as simple as logging in to your Patient Dashboard, adding your journey details and choosing between a digital copy or a printed certificate delivered to your door.
Just remember to check the rules for your destination before you travel, as a certificate can’t guarantee entry into another country.
Interested in finding out if you may qualify for medical cannabis in the UK?
Head to our free medical cannabis eligibility checker. It only takes two minutes to complete, and you’ll find out straight away whether you could be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK.
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