Traveling with Medical Marijuana

How to Travel with Medical Marijuana in Ohio

If you’re an MMJ patient in Ohio, you might want to know where you can use your medical cannabis. You have probably asked yourself, “What are the rules for MMJ in Ohio?” or “Can I take my medical marijuana to other states?”

Here is everything you need to know about traveling with MMJ in Ohio.

Locals Only: Ohio Medical Marijuana Rules

MMJ patients traveling within the state are permitted to bring their medical cannabis. However, driving while consuming cannabis is forbidden.

If you find that you must travel within the state with a stash of your cannabis on hand, state officials recommend that you only take as much cannabis as you need for your trip. The state of Ohio has strict guidelines for how much MMJ someone can carry.¹

Remember, it’s important to always have your medical cannabis card available to show proof of your patient status.

Be sure to keep your medical cannabis safely stored while driving. It’s best to keep your MMJ in the original packaging and out of reach from the front of the vehicle for the utmost safety precautions.²

No-Go Zone: MMJ in Public Places in Ohio

Although you’re free to consume your medical marijuana as an Ohio patient, take heed of state restrictions: Public consumption of medical cannabis is prohibited.

Take care to stay far from public gathering spaces such as parks, schools, and all designated drug-free zones. Considering these precautions helps ensure that you follow Ohio state law and avoid legal charges.³

Planes, Trains, Automobiles: Traveling with MMJ

Before traveling to another state from Ohio, it’s crucial to understand what you can and cannot do with your medical marijuana.

Without getting too deep into the legal explanation, here’s the simple answer: Don’t do it.

Keep in mind that marijuana is still considered a controlled substance by the federal government. Offenders of these regulations can face severe penalties including significant fines and jail time.⁴

If traveling by plane, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules for what type of hemp-based products are permitted.⁵

Getting through TSA regulations is one thing, but be aware that many airlines have their own specific rules and regulations. Major airlines like American Airlines and Delta have policies that explicitly ban cannabis products with THC from all aircrafts.

Make sure you know the state-specific laws of your destination trip. Even medical marijuana patients with a valid MMJ card have the potential to be arrested and face possession charges in other states that do not permit cannabis use.⁶

For long-term trips outside of Ohio, consider leaving all THC based products at home.

Using Your Med Card in Other States

As a certified med card-carrier with a prescription for medical cannabis in Ohio, you are probably used to the ease of purchasing MMJ from your local dispensary.

However, this is a very tricky situation.

Purchasing medical marijuana within a state that you do not reside requires something called Medical Marijuana Reciprocity. This concept describes one state’s recognition of a patient’s medical cannabis card from another state.⁷

Only certain states with legalized cannabis use will accept out-of-state authorizations. (Ohio is not among them.) Ultimately it is a dispensary owner’s decision to accept or deny an MMJ card from another state, so it’s recommended that you call ahead to be sure.⁸

In Conclusion… 

Sometimes traveling is a necessity. If you are a medical marijuana patient in Ohio and need to travel within the state, take necessary precautions and heed Ohio state law.

When traveling out of state, exercise particular caution and be sure to investigate all rules and restrictions set forth by the TSA and airline when flying, and the regulations of the state you are traveling to.

Always have your medical marijuana card and all proper documentation with you whether traveling or not.

 

Sources

 

1. 1. Weed in Ohio: Your questions answered, Cincinnati.com
   2. The Medical Cannabis Patient’s Guide for U.S. Travel, Safe Access Now
   3. State Medical Marijuana Laws, National Conference of State Legislatures
   4. Can I Bring Medical Marijuana On An Airplane?, Ohio Marijuana Card
   5. Medical Marijuana, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
   6. How to Travel With Medical Marijuana, The New York Times
   7. Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Marijuana, Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program
   8. Which US states accept out-of-state MMJ cards?, Leafly