Travel Tuesday: Navigating US travel as a medical cannabis patient

Can you travel to the US with medical cannabis?

No - you cannot legally bring medical cannabis into the United States under federal law, even if it has been legally prescribed by a physician in another country. According to US Customs and Border Protection, doing so can risk the confiscation of your medical cannabis and the potential  of facing criminal charges.

Is medical cannabis legal in the United States?

When it comes to whether medical cannabis is legal in the US under federal jurisdiction, the simple answer is, no. But in reality, things aren’t quite as black and white as that. 

The US is made up of 50 states, the District of Columbia (D.C.), and four territories. While federal laws, established by the federal government, apply to people throughout the US, state governments have autonomy over certain areas, including the legality of cannabis. As such, cannabis laws can vary significantly across the country. So, let’s have a look at how medical cannabis laws differ between federal and state legislation.

US federal cannabis laws

Under federal law in the US, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means cannabis is illegal and has no accepted medical use. Under this legislation, the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and possession of cannabis, except for use in government-approved research studies, is prohibited. 

But this legislation is often at odds with state-level laws. 

State-level cannabis laws

California became the first US state to legalise medical cannabis in 1996. Since then, an additional 39 states, D.C., and the US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have introduced medical cannabis legalisation. Furthermore, as of March 2026, 25 states, D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have legalised non-medical, or recreational, cannabis. 

 

Why is travelling to the US with medical cannabis complicated?

As you can see, when it comes to medical cannabis law in the US, things can get a little confusing. But the bottom line is, the federal US authorities typically do not regulate cannabis-related activities that are legalised at the state level. But does this apply if you are travelling to the US with medical cannabis products?

Given that medical cannabis is now legal across the majority of the US, you might assume that you won’t have any problems bringing your prescription medication with you on a visit. 

Nevertheless, that isn’t exactly the case. 

According to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) website, medical cannabis is permitted in carry-on bags and checked bags “under special instructions”, though it is not made clear what these instructions are. Moreover, it should be noted that this guidance has not been updated since 2019.

What does US Customs and Border Protection say about cannabis?

While the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance on bringing controlled medications into the US, it does not regulate medical cannabis. As such, it is advised that patients contact Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for queries about travelling with medical cannabis. 

Guidance on bringing cannabis into the country

According to CBP guidance, narcotics, including “marijuana” (or cannabis), may not be brought into the United States, even if they are legal somewhere else and have been prescribed by a foreign physician. The guidance states that bringing such products into the country can result in the products being confiscated and in severe penalties.

Confusingly, this is followed by guidance on travelling with “medicines that contain potentially addictive drugs or narcotics.” This includes:

• Declare all drugs, medicinal, and similar products to the appropriate CBP official;

• Carry such substances in their original containers;

• Carry only the quantity of such substances that a person with that condition would normally carry for their personal use;

• Carry a prescription or a written statement from your physician that the substances are being used under a doctor’s supervision and that they are necessary for your physical well-being while travelling.

With so many regulatory bodies, travelling to the US with medical cannabis probably isn’t as simple as you were hoping. In any case, it is a good idea to contact the US embassy and the US Customs and Border Protection for clarification before travelling, as they will be able to provide you with more information based on your specific circumstances.

What should medical cannabis patients do before travelling?

Since cannabis was rescheduled under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act in 2018, patients have been able to access a wide range of cannabis-based medicines on prescription. As medical cannabis products are now legally recognised medications, UK legislation permits patients to travel with their prescription. But rules can vary depending on your destination.

Many countries have now introduced legal access to medical cannabis, including jurisdictions across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. But as you might have expected, when travelling with medical cannabis, things are rarely as simple as packing your medicine and jumping on a plane. So there are several things you should always do before travelling.

Check embassy or CBP guidance before departure

In many cases, finding official guidance on travelling to another country with medical cannabis may be relatively straightforward. But as we can see from the information available for travelling to the US, this isn’t always the case. Therefore, it is always recommended that you contact the embassy of your destination country for further advice. 

Carry prescription documentation

When travelling with your medical cannabis, either domestically or internationally, you should always keep the products in their original packaging and have a copy of your prescription to hand.

You may also wish to carry a medical cannabis card, which all Releaf patients are eligible for! This makes it easy to access your prescription information - simply scan the QR code on the card, and you will be asked if you wish to share your details. This information can support your conversations with officials, such as order control or other airport staff.

Request a travel certificate

It can also be helpful to carry a travel certificate with you. This document features all the details of your prescription to share with the relevant authorities on your travels. When requesting your certificate, you will need to know your travel dates. We advise you to submit your request in plenty of time, while accounting for the validity of your current prescription. Typically, you can expect to receive a physical copy of your travel certificate within two to five days of your departure date.

At Releaf, requesting a travel certificate couldn’t be easier - and it's free of charge! Simply head to your patient portal. For more information about Releaf’s travel certificates, take a look at our article, ‘How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis’.

 

Frequently asked questions about travelling to the US with medical cannabis

Can you fly to the US with prescription cannabis?

No, you cannot fly to the US with a medical cannabis prescription. Current guidance from US Customs and Border Protection lists all cannabis products (with the exception of low-THC CBD and hemp products) as narcotic drugs, which may not be brought into the country.

What happens if cannabis is found in your luggage?

According to the CBP, border control officers do not actively seek out cannabis products. Nonetheless, if you are found to be in possession of such products, they may be confiscated and you could even face criminal charges.

Can UK patients legally buy cannabis in US states?

Most US states require patients to carry a stat-issued ID in order to purchase medical cannabis products, but there are exceptions. For example, in California, non-residents may be able to access medical cannabis products if they have a recommendation from a physician. 

Should you contact the US embassy before travelling with medical cannabis?

Yes, it is always a good idea to clarify any guidance on medical cannabis travel rules with the US embassy before travelling as a medical cannabis patient. While you may not be able to travel with your medication, you may receive up-to-date advice on any other options that may be open to you.

Travelling to the US as a medical cannabis patient may not be as straightforward as we might hope, but our world-class clinical staff are always here to support you with any queries or concerns. 

If you are not currently a medical cannabis patient but are interested in treatment, why not complete our medical cannabis eligibility checker? It’s completely free and can tell you in seconds whether you could be eligible for medical cannabis treatment. 

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