You have every right to pack up to 30g of marijuana in carry-on luggage when flying in Canada. But do you know how to travel with marijuana outside of the country?
You won’t face legal action, you won’t need a doctor’s prescription, and you won’t be sniffed by a mean-looking dog upon landing—as long as you travel within Canada.
Travel With Marijuana
Across the Border, Things are Very Different
U.S. federal law still bans the possession, sale, and distribution of marijuana. If you have a flight, for example, from Vancouver to Ohio, you’ll either have to throw away your stash of marijuana or not carry any amount at all. It is prohibited to vape or smoke on a plane.
In the United States, border protection agencies fly by U.S. federal laws, regardless of whether Canadian marijuana is legalized. Foreign visitors who wish to come to the United States must comply with the federal law, which takes precedence over U.S. state laws.
Some states and provinces in the United States and Canada have legalized the purchase, possession, or distribution of marijuana for medical and recreational uses. Still, the United States’ federal law prohibits all of the preceding.
What to Consider When Traveling to the U.S.
Here’s what travelers should know before considering bringing marijuana into the United States:
Many states only allow the use of medical marijuana. For example, marijuana in Ohio is still illegal for recreational use, but you can access it for medicinal purposes by getting the Ohio medical marijuana card.
Possession of recreational marijuana is still a crime in many parts of the United States. Canadians traveling on a cross-border flight may not bring marijuana, regardless of their citizenship.
What to Consider When Traveling to Canada
It remains illegal to import cannabis into Canada from international destinations.
If you have cannabis or products containing marijuana with you when entering Canada, you should report it to the Canadian border patrol agency. Otherwise, you may face legal action, including apprehension and prosecution.
Traveling to Canada with Marijuana
Canadian airports are working hard to ensure that Canadians do not encounter any problems when traveling abroad.
At Toronto Pearson Airport, there are several reminder kiosks that provide information on cannabis rules for passengers, such as the consequences for passengers who cross the border with cannabis.
If travelers travel with cannabis and cross national borders, they have a few options. Some retailers operating at the airport offer a return program for personal items.
Travelers can also throw the items in the collection bins.
Indeed, after filling out a form with your details and address, you can drop your marijuana in a trash can, and it will be returned to you.
Overview of what is acceptable in Canada
You can carry 30 grams of marijuana on a domestic flight.
Residents of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Yukon, British Columbia, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Northwest Territories must be over 19 years old to buy marijuana.
Only residents of Alberta and Quebec are permitted to purchase cannabis if they are 18 years or older.
Within all provinces and territories of Canada, the legal weed limit is 30 grams.
You can travel with no more than 30 grams of cannabis across Canada without legal prosecution if consumed within the borders of the provinces and territories. You may get 14 years in prison for crossing Canadian borders with cannabis.
Traveling to the United States with Marijuana
Taking marijuana across the border at a border crossing remains illegal under U.S. federal law.
Taking a trip with marijuana to the United States will have consequences. Imagine a significant prison sentence or a travel ban to the United States because you forgot you have 30 grams in your pocket.
Despite Canada’s cannabis law, importing marijuana into the United States remains a federal offense.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces U.S. laws, and officers will continue to monitor all land and air traffic between Canada and the United States in light of Canada’s new rules. So, it’s important you know what to expect before you choose to travel with marijuana.
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