Can You Buy Medicinal Herb in Other States?
As medical and recreational use is legalized in states across the country, it seems like a lot about cannabis use is changing rapidly. However, some things have remained the same as they ever were. For example, you still must not cross state lines with pot, even if you legally got it from your medical record. Here’s what else you need to know about the laws governing cannabis use.
Does your medical record work in other states?
The answer to the question of whether you can use a card issued in your state to buy cannabis in another state depends on where you are trying to buy it. The term “reciprocity” of medical cannabis should be borne in mind here. Always check to see if there is medical reciprocity in that state before you gas a tank and travel to another state.
Veriheal has compiled a list of states that allow this reciprocity: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Washington, DC, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Genus. Island, Vermont, Utah and Washington.
See your destination on the list? Not so fast – each of these states has its own set of reciprocity rules. New Jersey, for example, recognizes all other states’ medical weed charts and allows people to use them in the state for up to six months at a time of visit. Arizona, on the other hand, has a more limited reciprocity, only providing it to visitors with qualifying conditions that meet the state’s card eligibility criteria. California does not accept cards out of state, but it doesn’t matter because recreational weed is legal and available there. In Nevada, where cannabis has been legal for about four years, reciprocity also no longer matters, but when only medical cannabis was legal in the state, Nevada also had reciprocity with all other states. Each state has its own rules about how much you are allowed to own.
You can see how difficult it is. Become familiar with the individual laws for your destination so you don’t waste time or money – or go pot-free.
Also keep in mind that in most cases, you cannot apply for a medical record in a state where you do not actually reside. Hawaii allows foreign nationals to apply to their program and there is no reciprocity here.
Can you cross state lines with a medicinal herb?
You may find out everything you need to know about the laws of the state you are going to and – if all goes according to plan – get some cannabis thanks to reciprocity, but what happens when you get home?
Here’s the second thing to keep in mind: The federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. Transporting cannabis – even medical cannabis – across state lines is a federal crime. You may be accused of drug dealing.
Read this again: you could be. You will? Maybe not. In 2019, the New York Times spoke to a traveler who was told by a TSA agent that he had found THC medicinal tincture she had in her carry-on, that he should have reported it to the police but had no intention of.
In recent years, TSA has made it clear that their officers do not look for drugs in carry-on luggage, and a lot has been written about how to skip them, but it is important that you know that all it takes is for your weed to not be found. that agent on the wrong day because it will go very badly for you. At best, you’ll have to show your card to get your stuff. In the worst case, you face severe punishment.
Cannabis is also banned on certain airlines, including Delta and American, even if you have a card. Amtrak also has a marijuana ban policy that extends to medical cannabis. As for driving, do not do it in a state of intoxication. Follow all the security measures you took in the days leading up to the spread of the rule of law. First, lock your goods in the trunk and know your rights . Officers can search your car and your glove compartment, but not your trunk.
After reading, ask yourself if all this hassle is worth taking your cannabis home with you. If you have a card in your home state, use it first.
Finally, some resources. Here’s a list of reciprocity states again , but do your own thorough research on the destination before leaving. Here is our existing article on how to choose and acquire the right kind of medical cannabis. And here is a handy interactive map of legal herbs in America. You can enjoy it, especially after trying some legally purchased items.