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Missouri medical marijuana patients can enjoy their summer travels without having to give up their medicine.
We may have already covered this topic, but it’s worth mentioning again as you wrap up your summer plans. Traveling with medical marijuana takes a bit of extra preparation, but spending your vacation feeling better than ever is worth the effort. We promise!
If you don’t yet have a Missouri marijuana card, it’s not too late. Schedule an appointment to get an evaluation with a Missouri marijuana doctor today, to get the most out of what’s left of summer with legal natural relief!
Summer’s Even Better With Medical Marijuana!
Right around mid-July, I start getting the “summer’s almost over” blues. Hard. I think about all the things I want to do while the days are still long and hot, and the crickets and frogs still serenade the coming of night, and it usually culminates in one last big road trip hurrah before the air smells of turning leaves.
If you’ve got a Missouri marijuana card, this summer is extra special because it might be the first time in a long time (or ever) that you’ve been able to really feel your best physically and mentally while enjoying the season’s fun.
Of course, you’ll still want to follow any restrictions and safety precautions related to COVID to keep yourself and others safe, but you won’t even mind the extra hand-washing when you can carry your Bubba Kush vape pen with you wherever you go!
Traveling with medical marijuana in Missouri is safe and legal (as long as you’re not driving or flying a plane while impaired), and the natural wonder of the Ozarks, the art and culture of St. Louis—and definitely the BBQ in KC—are all something to behold when you’re feeling good.
Traveling with medical marijuana outside of Missouri gets a little more complicated, and it might require a bit of planning ahead depending on your mode of transportation and your personal risk tolerance. However, it can still be done smoothly and legally in most cases.
Universal Dos and Don’ts for Traveling With Medical Marijuana
Do: Lock your cannabis safely away in an odor-proof container.
Don’t: Throw your cannabis in your glove compartment, back seat, or a fast food bag on the floor.
Do: Keep your products in their original container.
Do: Keep your Missouri marijuana card with you at all times.
Don’t: Drive with expired tags.
Do: Follow all traffic laws.
Don’t: Drive like you’re afraid of getting caught doing something illegal.
Do: Check state laws related to medical and adult-use marijuana if you are traveling out-of-state.
Don’t: Take medical marijuana onto Federal lands and monuments.
Do: Enjoy your vacation like never before because you’re getting natural relief and loving every minute of it!
Do: Take lots of pictures to document the best vacation ever!
Traveling in Missouri With Medical Marijuana
If you have that Missouri marijuana card, you can drive, ride the bus, take an Uber, ride your bike or boat wherever you normally would in the state—as long as you are not impaired, and your cannabis products are locked safely away.
Make sure you have your Missouri marijuana card on you in case anyone asks, keep your products in their original containers, and keep your use discreet if you are going to be out and about. It might be a good idea to stick to edibles and tinctures or other products that don’t produce an odor.
Traveling With Medical Marijuana When Leaving Missouri
Because marijuana is Federally illegal, visiting a reciprocal state is really the only legal way to make sure you get to maintain your medicinal cannabis regimen while you’re traveling if you leave Missouri. You technically cannot cross state lines with marijuana, even if you have a doctor’s recommendation and you are traveling to a state where marijuana is legal.
But some practices are safer than others. We’re going to look at all your options here, but first a word of caution:
This author is not a legal expert. While I have made every effort to ensure the information contained in this post is accurate and up-to-date, things change and I am not an attorney.
Additionally, we are all aware of the fact that some groups of people are at a higher risk than others of running into trouble with law enforcement. If you are in a high-risk group, we advise you to use extreme caution when traveling with cannabis. Whatever you do, know your rights related to medical marijuana before you travel.
No Risk: Driving or Flying to a Reciprocal or Recreational State, Buying Once You’re There
There are several states that recognize and honor out-of-state marijuana cards. Some of them allow you to shop at their dispensaries, and others will not penalize you for having the medical marijuana from your own state’s dispensary.
Additionally, 19 states, Washington D.C. and Guam have legalized recreational marijuana. While products are probably not as great as medical-grade cannabis, you can still get your medicine with nothing more than a state-issued ID that shows you are of legal age.
If you are traveling to a state that reciprocates your Missouri marijuana card, then you’ll want to contact a dispensary in that state to confirm the requirements for fulfilment. Arkansas, for example, requires that you fill out a visiting patient application, and it may take some time to process. Once you have a visiting patient card, however, you can shop at any Arkansas dispensary for your medicine. Other states have similar requirements.
Low-to-Medium Risk: Driving to a Reciprocal or Recreational State With Your Cannabis in Tow
This one is a tough one, because it’s technically illegal to cross state lines with cannabis from another state. But some states have either decriminalized marijuana possession, recognize medical cards from other states, or they have recreational/adult-use laws in place.
This means that even if you do get caught with your cannabis, the worst you’ll get is a fine. Make sure you check the laws in each state where you intend to travel so you know and are prepared for consequences if they should arise.
Additionally, as long as you are following all traffic laws, your tags are up-to-date, and you keep your cannabis locked in the trunk, you’ve got a pretty low chance of getting caught.
High Risk (Not Recommended): Flying Anywhere With Your Cannabis in Tow
Even though you *might* get away with it, we don’t recommend trying to fly anywhere with medical marijuana in your bags. The reason is that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a federal agency. If you are caught with marijuana in your baggage, they are required by law to report you to local authorities.
That being said, their website says this about traveling with marijuana:
“TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
Get a Missouri Marijuana Card to End Your Summer Feeling Great
While there are risks involved in traveling with medical marijuana and you need to do a little planning ahead, you can make sure you’re getting natural relief so that you can enjoy your entire vacation in most instances.
The Department of Health and Senior Services is taking up to 30 days to process marijuana card applications right now, so we advise you to get your evaluation completed so you can get your card before summer’s over.
Having one is the only way to legally enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana, and Missouri dispensaries each have such a unique vibe that it might be worth a summer road trip to visit as many as you can before the weather turns!
Give us a call at (877) 303-3117 or schedule an appointment online today!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri.