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9 min read
Lucy MacKinnon
With the summer holidays fast approaching, many of you will be either looking at, or looking forward to, getting away for a much-needed break. But, for those who are prescribed medical cannabis, you may be wondering what protocols are involved when travelling internationally with cannabis-based medicines - but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
From unpredictable delays and crowded terminals, to anxiety-inducing security checks and the financial burden of taking a break, the chaotic atmosphere of the airport circus often puts a damper on one's holiday spirit, and unfortunately, although overwhelming, these evils are to be expected.
But, for patients who are prescribed medical cannabis, there's often another thing on their list that takes the ‘top trigger’ title when it comes to travelling, and this is their choice of medication.
However, so long as the proper permissions have been granted, being a medical cannabis patient should not jeopardise your right to relax.
We’ve put together this blog, to outline the dos and don’ts when travelling abroad with medical cannabis from the UK, so that you can be jet set for your getaway!
Please note that this information does not constitute legal advice and should not be solely relied upon. It is crucial to thoroughly review the current travel advice for each country before making any travel arrangements or embarking on a journey with medical cannabis.
Before attempting to leave the country with medical cannabis, it's imperative to get organised.
This blog will go into detail about the advice provided and published by the UK government and Home Office, the NHS, and PatientsCann (a medical cannabis patient led advocacy organisation), but this simple check-list is a great place to start:
Unlike a lot of medications, in the UK medical cannabis holds controlled drug status, and, unfortunately, is not a legal treatment option in every country. So, to avoid ending up in hot water as opposed to hot weather, it's extremely important to be aware of the legal status medical cannabis holds in the destination you’re planning on visiting, and to check that it is legally approved for the condition you have been diagnosed with.
Because of its controlled drug status, attempting to take medical cannabis out of the country and into another without approval from the relevant authorities is classed as drugs smuggling.
Depending on the destination in question, there are varied legal penalties attached to drug smuggling (none of which make for a nice relaxing holiday) and 34 countries actually have death penalties in place for those committing drug offences - despite this being against international law.
So, to stay safe it's imperative to do your research surrounding the legal status of your prescribed controlled medication, cannabis-based or not, when travelling abroad.
The Medical Cannabis Clinician’s Society suggest searching ‘legality of cannabis’ on Wikipedia as a good place to start, and remind patients to check any countries they may be transferring, or stopping over in, along the way too. Our handy Continental Cannabis Guide serves as destination inspiration and outlines the rules and regulations in place in some of the most popular, must-see holiday destinations.
After you’ve determined the legal status of cannabis-based medicines in the country you plan on visiting, the next step is contacting your destination’s Embassy to seek permission to enter their country with medical cannabis.
If the country you are planning on visiting has legalised medical cannabis or cannabis-based medicines for its own residents, it's much more likely that they will be accepting of tourists carrying their own medicine, than those where cannabis is prohibited.
But, before entering with medical cannabis, you must gain approval from their embassy.
It's advised to contact the embassy at least a few weeks before you plan to visit, but to be on the safe side, we’d advise getting in touch as soon as possible to avoid any uncertainties. The embassy can approve or deny your request to enter their country with medical cannabis, inform you of any other authorities you may need to contact, and advise you of the correct customs procedures upon entering their country with controlled medicines.
When you do contact the embassy, inform them of your plans to visit, including how long you plan on staying and in what region, explain your status as a medical cannabis patient, the types of medication you take, and their controlled status. Having a letter from your prescribing clinician explaining this information may be useful when speaking to the embassy, and this may be something they request before granting approval.
Depending on the transport provider you are planning to travel with, you may also need to inform them of your plans. Guidelines regarding the transportation of controlled drugs vary amongst airlines and railway companies, and each has different rules surrounding the possession, administration, and transportation of items like medical cannabis. So, doing your due diligence here is also advised. Having prior permission from the embassy is likely to help at this stage, as is a personalised letter from your prescribing clinician.
The UK government website explains, if you are travelling for fewer than three months, and are carrying a supply of Schedule 2 controlled medicines (such as medical cannabis) that lasts no longer than 84 days, a personal licence to travel with these items is not required.
If medical cannabis patients are planning on embarking on a trip that lasts longer than three months, they may need to apply for an export licence, which can take at least 10 days to process. It's advised patients apply for this as much in advance as possible to ensure they can travel with the required amount of medicine.
The government website also provides guidance for patients who want to travel to the UK with controlled prescribed drugs such as CBPMs, and for those who live in the UK, but have been prescribed controlled medicines whilst abroad.
Once all permissions are in place - it's time to pack!
When travelling with medicines, it is important to adhere to the NHS guidance - especially with controlled medicines like medical cannabis. The NHS advise keeping all medication in its original prescribed container or packaging when travelling and ensuring that the prescription labels are clear, correct, and feature your name.
The NHS also state any kind of medical equipment or medication should be carried in a passenger's hand luggage, but they should also consider packing some in their hold luggage, just in case their hand luggage is lost or damaged during transit.
Along with your prescribed medicines and medical devices or equipment, it's essential to ensure you also have a physical copy of your prescription on your person at all times when travelling. This is advised so you can easily, and quickly, prove that it has been prescribed to you, by a qualified and certified doctor.
In addition to a physical copy of your prescription, a personalised letter from your prescribing clinician is also recommended when travelling. This letter, or travel certificate, should contain the following details:
At Releaf, this is one of the services we offer for free for patients on the Releaf+ subscription plan, and they can be issued within 10 days of request.
For extra security and peace of mind at the airport, Releaf’s travel certificates contain much more than the mandated detail, and also include:
Each Releaf patient also receives a Medical Cannabis Card that contains an image of themselves, their personal details, and a QR code. The QR code can be scanned to reveal a digital copy of the patient's up-to-date prescription for cannabis-based medicines, and an explanation of the legal status of medical cannabis in the UK.
In conclusion, it is extremely important to be organised when travelling as a medical cannabis patient. Ensure you have the right permissions, required documentation, and approval from the authorities before attempting to travel. Speak to your prescribing clinic for independent advice, and make sure to plan in advance to avoid any unnecessary issues.
While this process might seem daunting, following these dos and don'ts can help you travel with confidence, and ensure your medical needs are met - without compromising your holiday experience.
Safe travels!
Please note that this information does not constitute legal advice and should not be solely relied upon. It is crucial to thoroughly review the current travel advice for each country before making any travel arrangements or embarking on a journey with medical cannabis.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Am I eligible?With five years of journalism and healthcare content creation under her belt, Lucy strives to improve medical cannabis awareness and access in the UK by producing high quality, credible content.
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