Travelling with Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card: What You Need to Know
Posted inHealth

Travelling with Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card: What You Need to Know

Posted inHealth

Florida’s Medical Marijuana program is growing, and it now serves more than 870,000 registered patients. These patients have to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card Naples to use and buy Cannabis legally. One of the most common questions cardholders have is whether they can travel with their medical marijuana.

If you want to avoid getting in trouble with the law, you need to know the rules for flying with MMJ card Florida, whether you’re flying out of Naples, driving across state lines, or going on a cruise.

This article tells you everything you need to know about flying with an MMJ card in Florida. It gives details of airport rules, Medical Marijuana, how to plan your trip safely and legally, and how to use your card in other states.

Medical Marijuana and Federal Law

Florida law says that medical marijuana is legal, but federal law says it is still illegal.

When traveling, especially by plane, cruise ship, or across state lines, this makes things complicated because federal agencies are in charge of these areas.

In Florida, if you possess a valid Medical Marijuana Card, you can buy and own cannabis as long as you follow state rules. In contrast, Federal law still classifies Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, which means that it is illegal to transport or possess it, even for medical use.

This fundamental difference in Marijauna’s legal status, traveling with cannabis outside of Florida’s borders can be dangerous, even with a valid Marijuana Card.

Traveling in Florida

Your Florida MMJ card lets you travel with your medical marijuana as long as you stay in the state and follow basic safety and compliance rules.

  • Always keep all products in their original, labeled packaging.

  • Carry your Florida MMJ card and a photo ID with you at all times.

  • Keep cannabis safe, like in the trunk or glove compartment, while driving.

  • Do not smoke marijuana in public places, parks, or cars (even if you are a passenger).

  • Don’t give your medicine to other people, even if they have the same health problems.

If you are driving between cities like Naples, Miami, Tampa, or Orlando, it’s perfectly legal to have your prescribed medical cannabis with you in Florida. Just make sure you do not carry over the prescribed amount.

What are the airport rules for Medical Marijuana?

Airports are run by the federal government, so Transportation Security Administration – TSA agents have to follow federal law, not state medical cannabis laws. Some important points to remember for interstate travel for cannabis patients are that if TSA finds cannabis in your luggage, they have to tell the police, as it is an illegal substance.

Most Florida airports, like Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), Orlando (MCO), and Naples Airport (APF), leave enforcement up to local authorities, who may check your medical card.

If you have Marijuana for medical use and are in Florida, most local police will check the OMMU registry to see if you are a patient. So it is important to bring your Medical Marijuana Card Naples if you are travelling with Cannabis.

Can you bring your prescribed Marijuana on a plane?

Some patients think they can fly between two states where medical marijuana is legal, but this is against federal law. If you have even a small amount of marijuana in your carry-on or checked bag, you could be charged with drug possession and transport across state lines, which is a federal crime.

Can you take products containing CBD during travel?

CBD products made from hemp (with less than 0.3% THC) are legal in the US and can usually be taken on flights. But medical marijuana that contains THC is not allowed, even in small amounts or as food. If you’re flying, the safest thing to do is leave your Medical Marijuana at home and, if you need it, get legal cannabis at your destination (if that state allows reciprocity).

Can you use a Florida MMJ card out of state?

Florida does not have medical cannabis reciprocity at this time. This means that other states do not have to accept your Florida MMJ card. Florida also doesn’t accept cards from other states. You can only use your Florida MMJ card in Florida, and you can not legally take cannabis with you when you go to another state

“What does Medical Cannabis reciprocity mean”?, is what many Cannabis patients want to know. Reciprocity lets people who use medical marijuana legally buy or own cannabis when they go to another state that has similar Cannabis laws. If you live in a state that has a reciprocity program, like Nevada, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, you might be able to get temporary patient registration. But not all states have these programs. Before you leave, always check the website of the state’s Department of Health or cannabis regulation.

Driving with Cannabis across state lines on a road trip

Even if you are going to a state where Cannabis is legal, driving out of Florida with it is considered transporting a controlled substance across state lines, which is a federal crime. It is against the law to bring cannabis into Georgia, Alabama, or any other state next to it. If you are caught with these products outside of Florida, federal and state law enforcement can take them away or give you a fine.

In contrast, you can drive in Florida with your medical marijuana in containers that are clearly marked. If you need medical marijuana while you’re away, check to see if your destination lets people from other states apply for a temporary medical marijuana card.

What are the rules for cruise ships and ports?

Many Florida MMJ patients living near coastal areas like Naples, Tampa, or Miami ask if they can bring medical cannabis on cruises. Unfortunately, federal maritime law says that cruise ships can’t have marijuana, even for medical use. Some cruise ship Medical Marijuana policies include:

  • No cruise line, no matter what state has legalized marijuana, allows it on board (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Disney, etc.).

  • Ports of call often include countries with strict drug laws, where having drugs could get you arrested or fined.

  • Don’t bring your cannabis with you when you go on a cruise. Talk to your doctor about other treatments you can use while traveling if you need to take medicine.

How can you safely travel with your prescribed Marijuana?

If you use medical marijuana for chronic pain, anxiety, or another qualifying condition and need to travel, and have a valid Medical Marijuana Card, you must. think about these options:

  • Bring your Florida MMJ card and a picture ID.

  • Keep cannabis in its original packaging with a label from the dispensary.

  • Keep your things in the trunk of your car, not in the glovebox or passenger seat.

  • Don’t ever use cannabis in public or while driving.

  • Before getting on a plane or cruise, leave all cannabis products at home.

  • If you are going to more than one state, look up the laws about reciprocity ahead of time.

  • You can carry Hemp-based CBD products, with THC < 0.3% are legal in all 50 states.

Be smart when you travel and follow the law.

You need to be careful and aware when you travel with your Florida medical marijuana card. Your card protects you legally in Florida, but federal and state laws still make it illegal to take marijuana across state lines or on planes and cruise ships. If you have to travel, make plans ahead of time:

Use CBD made from hemp or other non-THC products, and always check state laws before crossing borders. Once you are back in Florida, you can buy fresh medical cannabis as per your prescription. In short, your MMJ card protects you in Florida, but you can’t take it with you. Stay up to date, follow the rules, and responsibly enjoy the health benefits of cannabis when you get home.