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Planning a Winter retreat? What you need to know about travelling with medical cannabis

Planning a Winter retreat? What you need to know about travelling with medical cannabis

4 min read

Sam North

Planning a Winter retreat? What you need to know about travelling with medical cannabis

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it, the yearly yearning to pack your bags, hit the road and hopefully escape the winter blues.

But for Releaf patients new to medical cannabis, the idea of travelling with something that has been heavily stigmatised for so long can be quite daunting. That said, medical cannabis is a fully legal treatment option here in the UK and also in many of the popular destinations that we Brits flock to when the temperatures drop, and the gloom sets in.

So, if you're planning a winter retreat, here's what you need to know about travelling with medical cannabis.

Key takeaways
  1. Travelling in the UK: Medical cannabis is legal to travel with across the UK, but always carry it in the original packaging, complete with a visible prescription label.
  2. Travel Abroad: Only travel abroad with medical cannabis if it is legal in your destination country. Always check with the local embassy and secure approval beforehand.
  3. Documentation: Keep a paper copy of your prescription, your medication in original packaging, and a travel letter from your doctor to help avoid issues with the authorities.
  4. Air Travel Rules: Never pack medical cannabis in checked luggage - keep it in your carry-on. For overseas trips, get explicit approval before flying to avoid potential legal consequences.
  5. Long Stays: For trips over three months, you may need a 'personal licence' to carry your medical cannabis. Check out the full travel guide for more information.

Contents

Can you travel with medical cannabis in the UK?

Yes, as long as you are a legal UK medical cannabis patient, you can travel anywhere in the UK with your medication - whether that be medical cannabis flower or medical cannabis oil. That said, there are a few caveats that patients need to grasp before travelling.

Can UK medical cannabis patients travel abroad with their medication?

That is very much dependent on where you are planning to travel to.

Medical cannabis is slowly becoming more recognised and legalised globally, and if you have booked a trip to a country where medical cannabis is legal, then it is usually possible to travel with your medication. But if you are planning to go to a country that has not yet legalised medical cannabis, then unfortunately, you will most likely not be able to take your medication with you.

Again, even if you are legally allowed to take your prescribed medical cannabis to your overseas destination, there are a few things worth understanding beforehand.

What do you need to know before travelling with medical cannabis?

For both domestic and overseas travel

  • Your prescribed medication must be in the original packaging, with your name and prescription details clearly labelled.
  • Your medication comes with an expiration date. It is important to check that it has not yet expired, or you run the risk of not being able to take your medication with you.
  • Always carry a paper copy of your prescription and reach out to the Releaf Patient Support Team to request a travel certificate.
  • Always carry your medication in your carry-on bags if/when flying.

For overseas travel

  • Never take your legally prescribed medical cannabis on a plane without prior approval, or into a country where it is not legal. This is a serious offence and could result in serious legal repercussions.
  • Before you book any flights, do some research and find out if medical cannabis is legal in the country you are planning to travel to.
  • If so, contact their embassy and enquire about their specific rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis, and ask for an approval letter to enter the country with medical cannabis.
  • It's also a good idea to have a letter from your doctor explaining your medical condition and treatment plan. This can help in case of any issues or misunderstandings at customs.  The Releaf Patient Support Team can help with this.
  • If you are planning to travel for an extended period (more than three months with medication lasting more than 84 days) you may need to apply for a 'personal license'. Check out our full travel blog for more on this.

Want to learn more?

We have a load of travel-related blog and education articles ready and waiting, including:

And don't forget to check out the rest of our New Patient blog series, where we answer the pressing questions new medical cannabis patients often have, and our full blog and education hub. 

We are proud to be able to offer everyone interested in UK medical cannabis the most comprehensive collection of articles covering everything there is to know, with new blogs published five days a week.

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It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.

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