Can I Use My Medical Marijuana Card in Another State?
Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have medical cannabis programs in effect, and more statesālike Idahoāare considering 2020 ballot measures to implement their own programs. If so many states are accommodating to medical marijuana patients, itās natural to wonder whether you can use your medical marijuana in another state. There are two important questions in play here.
- Can you purchase medical marijuana in another cannabis-friendly state using your MMJ card from your state?
- Can you take medical marijuana across state lines?
The answer to the first question is nuanced. The answer to the second question is more straightforward.
If you still have questions after reading this post, Green Health Docs can help. We offerĀ medical marijuana card certificationĀ in numerous states, and our licensed physicians can answer all your questions and help you to get approved. Green Health Docs has clinics located in multiple states across the country, and GHD even offers telemedicine evaluations. ContactĀ Legal greenĀ today. Our knowledgeable reps are standing by.
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
The concept ofĀ medical marijuana reciprocityĀ is one stateās recognition of a patientās medical cannabis card from another state. Letās say that you have aĀ Missouri medical marijuana card. You can travel to California and use your home stateās MMJ card to buy medical cannabis from a dispensary there ā because California practices medical marijuana reciprocity.
There are many states that choose to recognize out-of-state marijuana certifications.
States that accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
Medical marijuana reciprocity states will also allow you, in many cases, to use your card to gain access to dispensaries and purchase your medication. Some states are more lenient about this than others. New Hampshire, for example, will protect you from criminal charges but willĀ notĀ allow you to purchase from dispensaries.
In states where youĀ canĀ purchase from dispensaries, itās still at the discretion of the dispensary owner. This is why itās a good idea to call the dispensary ahead of time and ask if they accept out-of-state MMJ cards.
Note that some of these statesālike California, Colorado, and Nevadaāare recreational-use states. In these states, you wonāt be required to show your card unless the law restricts you from purchasing recreationally. For example, if youāre 18 years old and visiting a state where recreational use is limited to adults over 21, youāll need to keep your card on hand.
Note also that purchasing out-of-state marijuana usually isnāt as simple as grabbing your card and strolling into a dispensary. For example, if youāre traveling to Hawaii, youāll need to complete an application and pay a $49.50 application fee within 60 days before visiting. Youāll then receive an electronic certification that allows you to purchase cannabis when you arrive.
Before you travel to another state, make sure to research all applicable medical marijuana reciprocity laws.
Can You Take Your Medical Marijuana Across State Lines?
The simple answer is no, you can not take medical cannabis across state lines. Even if youāre traveling between two neighboring states that have legalized marijuana, itās a federal crime to transport controlled substances across state lines. Because the DEA recognizes cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug, you would be in direct violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
Though TSA agents arenāt looking for marijuana, theyāre required to report itĀ to authorities if they find it. In some cases, the authorities might just confiscate your medication and send you on your way. In other cases, you may face much more severe penalties. Your best bet is to just leave your medicine at home. If youāre lucky enough to be traveling to a state with medical marijuana reciprocity, you can purchase new medication when you arrive.
If you still donāt have medical marijuana certification, Legal Green can help. We offer medical marijuana card certificationĀ in numerous states, and our licensed physicians can help you to get approved. We have clinics located in multiple states across the country, and we even offer telemedicine evaluations. Contact us today to get started.