This blog is not legal advice, but a general guideline. We always recommend Canadians consult https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/cannabis-and-international-travel as new information is updated directly on the Canadian government’s website.
Cannabis is legal for adults in Canada who meet their provincial age requirements. However, it is still illegal to transport cannabis and products containing cannabis – including edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals – in or out of Canada:
- No matter how much cannabis you have with you
- Even if you are authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes in any form, including cannabidiol (CBD)
- Even if you are travelling to or from a municipality, state or country where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized
If you are entering Canada with cannabis-based products in any form, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. Not declaring cannabis in your possession at the Canadian border is a serious criminal offence and you could be arrested and prosecuted.
Travelling with cannabis within Canada
When travelling within Canada, you must meet the minimum age requirement of the province or territory you travelling within to legally hold cannabis in your possession. You are responsible for learning the laws of the province or territory you are going to visit. Recreationally, you are allowed to have 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent on your person.
When driving with cannabis in your vehicle, cannabis must be kept unopened in its original packaging or kept somewhere inaccessible to the driver and other occupants. You must always treat the medication like any other, and never drive if you feel impaired or under the influence.
Can I fly domestically with my medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis is governed by Health Canada and the federal government and is separate from provinces’ individual recreational requirements. As a medical patient, you are allowed to carry up to 30 days worth of your prescription (or 150 grams, whichever is less). It is recommended to download and keep your proof of prescription with you when travelling, especially when flying domestically with medical cannabis. This can be downloaded from your personal account on your Licensed Producer’s website. It is also recommended to bring your medical cannabis with you inside your carry on so that you can claim it and explain it is prescribed. Remember any liquids, even cannabis oil, must be under 100 millilitres when brought in a carry on bag.
Bringing cannabis across the border
It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country. You could be charged with a criminal offence if you try to travel to other countries with any amount of cannabis in your possession. This applies to all countries, whether cannabis is legal there or not.
Cannabis is illegal in most countries. If you try to travel internationally with any amount of cannabis in your possession, you could face severe criminal penalties both at home and abroad. You could be denied entry into your destination country if you have previously used cannabis or any substance prohibited by local laws. You could also be denied entry to other countries in the future.
Can I bring cannabis to states where it is legalized?
Although the possession of cannabis is legal in some U.S. states, it remains illegal under U.S. federal laws. Do not attempt to cross the Canada-U.S. border with any amount of cannabis in any form, even if you are travelling to a U.S. state that has legalized possession of cannabis.
In conclusion, if you are travelling outside of Canada, you will need to leave your cannabis at home. If you have any questions, confusion, or doubts, it is recommended to review https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/cannabis-and-international-travel.
If you want to know more, you can contact us with any questions you have at Support@apolloresearch.ca.
SOURCE:
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/cannabis-and-international-travel
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/border.html
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/cannabis-eng.html
