Can I Use My Medical Marijuana In States Where It's Not Legal?

Planning a vacation should be enjoyable. However, given rapidly evolving — and typically complex — laws surrounding medical cannabis, numerous patients feel overloaded. Is it fine to utilize lawfully acquired medical cannabis in states where it’s illegal? Can you utilize your medical cannabis card in various states?
CannaMD sorts through the confusion, detailing everything Florida residents need to learn about utilizing medical cannabis outside of the Sunshine State.
State vs. federal law
Similar to utilizing medical cannabis in residential homes, traveling with cannabis comes down to federal versus state law. Unfortunately, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug (similar to heroin, LSD, and euphoria) — which suggests selling, buying, and/or possessing the compound is a crime.
Since federal law supersedes state law, this also suggests that taking cannabis throughout state lines (even if both states permit medical cannabis usage) is illegal.
As attorney Allison Malsbury discusses:
From a legal point of view, it’s really cut and dried. In practice, nevertheless, it’s very ambiguous. In practice, the possibilities of feds or the DEA sitting at the border waiting to capture someone — that’s simply not taking place. It’s not useful or worth their time.
However, Americans for Safe Access advises patients:
The finest police encounter is the encounter that never ever happens.
Remember: Crossing state lines with medical cannabis is still a federal offense.
States where leisure cannabis is legal
Fortunately, a variety of states permit patients to side-step travel concerns by permitting legal access to leisure cannabis. Note: This does not mean that patients can make medical purchases (although a few states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards).
Here’s a take a look at states where leisure usage is legal (last upgraded 5/11/21):
Individuals of legal age may acquire leisure cannabis from dispensaries. For more details, see: The Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 6 plants (no greater than 3 fully grown)
Individuals of legal age (21+) might purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To find out more, see: The Arizona Department of Health Services: Marijuana.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 6 plants per person (no greater than 12 per house); 5g of hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age might purchase leisure cannabis from dispensaries. For additional information, see: The California Cannabis Portal.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants; 8 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may acquire cannabis from dispensaries. For additional information, see: Colorado Marijuana.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants (no greater than 3 mature); 1 oz. hash/concentrates
Adults 21 and older are enabled to have and purchase cannabis reliable January 1, 2020. With the governor’s signature, Illinois ended up being the first state to authorize legal sales through the state legislature instead of a tally procedure. For additional information, see: Overview of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Possession Limit: 30 g. usable; 5 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may use recreational cannabis. Maine also accepts out-of-state medical cannabis cards (gone over in the next section). To learn more, see: The Maine Marijuana Legalization Act and Chapter 409 Public Law.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. functional; as much as 15 plants (no more than 3 fully grown); 5 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may buy recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To learn more, see: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 6 plants; 5 g. focuses
Individuals 21 years and older might purchase leisure cannabis from dispensaries. For additional information, see: The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz usable
Individuals 21 years and older might acquire recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To learn more, see: Montana Secretary of State — Ballot Measure 190.
Individuals of legal age might buy recreational cannabis from dispensaries. Nevada also accepts out-of-state medical cannabis cards (discussed in the next section). For more details, see: Marijuana in Nevada.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants; 3.5 g. hash/concentrates
New Jersey passed recreational cannabis legislation that went into impact January 1, 2021, nevertheless, till Governor Phil Murphy passes extra «enabling legislation» that describes the complete details of how cannabis can be produced and distributed, the brand-new recreational law remains in limbo. Governor Murphy has assured to pass final legislation on this matter within his very first 100 days in workplace. To find out more, see: State of New Jersey: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 183.
Possession Limit: 6 oz. usable
Individuals of legal age (21+) may begin purchasing leisure cannabis from dispensaries on June 29th, 2021. Commercial sales will officially begin in 2022. For more information, see: HB2: New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act.
Possession Limit: 2 oz usable; 6 plants per person (no greater than 12 per family); 16g hash/concentrates; 800mg edibles
New York passed Senate Bill S854A on March 31, 2021 which officially legislated recreational cannabis usage for grownups 21 years and older. For more information, see: New York State Health: Marijuana Program.
Possession Limit: 3 oz functional; 12 plants (without any more than 6 mature plants and 6 immature per home); 24g hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may buy leisure cannabis from dispensaries. For more information, see: Oregon Recreational Marijuana.
SOUTH DAKOTA *
South Dakota residents passed legislation to enable people 21 years of age and older to purchase leisure cannabis from dispensaries. Although initially set to go reside in July of 2021, on Feb. 8, 2021, a South Dakota evaluated ruled that Amendment A (which would have legislated leisure cannabis) broke a state rule that constitutional modifications just cover one subject. Governor Kristi Noem is presently working vigilantly to overturn the amendment. Meanwhile, cannabis advocacy groups are planning to appeal the judgment to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
While the concern is held up in the courts, leisure cannabis will remain prohibited in the state. For more details, see: South Dakota: Constitutional Amendment A.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional
Individuals of legal age might acquire recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For additional information, see: The State of Vermont Marijuana Commission.
Recreational ownership of cannabis for adults of legal age (21+) will enter into impact on July 1, 2021. Commercial sales are set to begin on January 1, 2024. For additional information, see: Virginia State: SB 1333 and HB 2218.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 4 plants
Individuals of legal age may buy leisure cannabis from dispensaries. For more information, see: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 16 oz. strong marijuana-infused, 72 oz. liquid infused; 7 oz. of concentrates
* WASHINGTON, D.C.
Individuals of legal age might purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For more details, see: The DC Metro Police Department.
Using and/or buying cannabis with an out-of-state medical cannabis card
Several states permit medical cannabis usage and/or purchases with out-of-state medical cannabis cards. This list (last updated 5/11/21) consists of:
Alaska allows both leisure and medical cannabis. Out-of-state medical cannabis cards are not acknowledged, but any adult over 21 can purchase cannabis at a recreational dispensary. For more information, see: What You Need to Know about Using Marijuana in Alaska.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. useable; 6 plants (no greater than 3 mature)
Arizona allows visiting clients to utilize medical cannabis (with a state-approved card); however, non-residents are not allowed to buy cannabis from a dispensary. For additional information, see: Arizona Medical Marijuana FAQs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable; 12 plants
Arkansas currently allows for «visiting qualified patients» who have a legitimate medical cannabis card issued by another state to buy and have cannabis. For more information, see: Arkansas Medical Marijuana FAQs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable per 14-day period
With the death of Proposition 64, California officially opened its doors to medical cannabis patients from any state who are over the age of 21. Although you do not require a medical cannabis card to purchase from a dispensary, all extra taxes are waived for competent patients with a valid card. For more information, see: Proposition 64: 34011 (g).
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 8 g concentrate; 6 plants grew (contingent on local ordinances)
Although recreational cannabis is legal in Colorado, non-residents (regardless of their status as a medical cannabis cardholder) are bound to stricter possession limitations. For additional information, see: Colorado Laws About Marijuana Use.
Possession Limit for all non-residents: 1 oz. usable; 8 g concentrate; May only acquire 1/4 oz. usable at a time
Possession Limit for citizens with a medical cannabis card: 2 oz. usable; 56 g concentrate; 6 plants
Hawaii enables «competent patients from other states who have actually been validated in their home state and signed up in Hawaii. » For more details, see: Hawaii Department of Health Medical Cannabis Registry Program.
Possession Limit: 4 oz. useable per 15-day period
Effective January 1, 2020, adults 21 and older might have cannabis and purchase cannabis products in licensed stores. Non-residents might buy 15 grams of cannabis, 250 mg. of THC in a cannabis-infused item, and 2.5 grams of concentrated cannabis items. For more details see: Overview of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Possession Limit: 15 g. functional; 2.5 g. hash/concentrates
Maine allows going to clients to utilize medical cannabis if they have a legitimate Maine-approved composed doctor certificate kind, which has actually been finished, signed and dated by the visiting patient’s home-jurisdiction treating doctor. The kind is offered on the DHHS site. To learn more, see: Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in Maine.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable; as much as 15 plants (no more than 3 mature); 5 g. hash/concentrates
If a patient from out of state is in Maryland for medical treatment, they can register to get medical cannabis, however the state does not acknowledge out-of-state medical cannabis cards. For more information, see: Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission: Registration.
Visiting clients with a medical cannabis card might purchase and utilize medical cannabis. For more information, see: Michigan Medical Marijuana Act 333.26424, Sec. 4(h).
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. functional; 12 plants
Per the Mississippi State Department of Health: «MSDH is presently working to develop production, regulation and licensing structures in time for the time frame of August 15, 2021. Initiative 65 requires that policies for all aspects of the program, including production and licensing for sale, must be in place by July 1, 2021. As we make development we will keep the public fully informed.» For more information, see: Mississippi State Department of Health: Medical Marijuana Regulation and Licensure.
Possession Limit: N/A
Only permanent Missouri citizens who have a legitimate medical cannabis license may acquire medical cannabis from a dispensary. Missouri does not currently acknowledge medical cannabis cards from other states although provisions remain in location to hopefully amend this. For additional information, please describe: The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services: Medical Marijuana Rules.
Possession limitation for medical cannabis clients: 4 oz useable per 30-day duration
You do not need a medical cannabis card to purchase leisure cannabis in Montana. However, Montana does recognize legitimate medical cannabis cards from other states. To find out more, see: Montana Secretary of State — Ballot Measure 190 or Montana Legislature: Title 50 Chapter 46.
Possession Limit: 1 oz functional
You do not need a medical cannabis card in order to acquire recreational cannabis in the state of Nevada. However, Nevada does honor valid medical cannabis cards from other states. Cardholders from Florida might shop in medical cannabis dispensaries. To find out more, please refer to Nevada Legal Use Possession & Consumption.
Possession limitation for non medical patients: 1 oz. functional; ⅛ oz concentrate; 6 plants (however ONLY if there is no MMTC within 25 miles of the home you’re growing at and you have composed authorization from the property manager)
Possession limit for medical cannabis clients: 2.5 oz useable per 14-day period; 12 plants
As long as clients are licensed to utilize cannabis for a condition approved by New Hampshire, visitors can use medical cannabis (however, they can not make purchases at dispensaries). For additional information, see: Therapeutic Cannabis Program Registry Rules, He-C 401.16, Visiting Qualifying Patients.
Possession Limit: 2 oz. usable
Patients checking out Oklahoma with a medical cannabis card from another state might get a temporary registration from Oklahoma at an expense of $100. For more details, see: Current OMMA Rules.
Oregon does not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards, but any adult 21+ can acquire cannabis with valid ID. For more details, see: Oregon Health Authority.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional in public; 8 oz. home-grown usable in the house; 4 plants; 16 oz. strong marijuana-infused, 72 oz. liquid-infused; 1 oz. extract in the house of hash/concentrates
Rhode Island enables checking out clients to use and purchase medical cannabis (with a state-approved card). For additional information, see: The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act § 21-28.6 -4 (n).
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz functional; 12 plants
Currently, Vermont does not acknowledge out-of-state medical cannabis cards, although any adult 21+ with a valid ID may purchase cannabis from any dispensary. To find out more, see: Vermont Statutes Chapter 084: Possession and Control of Regulated Drugs: 18 V.S.A. § 4230.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants (no more than 2 fully grown); 5 g. hash
You do not require a medical cannabis card in order to buy leisure cannabis from a dispensary. Washington does not honor medical cannabis cards from other states. For more information, see: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Possession Limit for non-cardholders: 1 oz. whole flower; 16 oz. solid marijuana-infused, 72 oz. liquid infused; 7 oz. of focuses
Possession limitation for resident card-holders only: 3 oz functional; 48 oz strong infused; 216 oz liquid infused; 21 g concentrate; 6 — 15 plants depending on physician referral.
* WASHINGTON D.C.
Washington D.C. accepts medical cannabis cards from states with «functionally comparable programs.» Fortunately for CannaMD patients, Florida is one of these accepted states! For additional information, see: DC Health Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Jurisdictions
Possession Limit: 2 oz. usable; 6 plants, 3 fully grown
Medical cannabis reciprocity laws
States accepting out-of-state medical cannabis cards practice what is referred to as reciprocity. While reciprocity laws — particularly in states that permit medical purchases — assist visitors prevent a number of travel-related legal concerns, it’s essential to remain mindful of both cannabis’s federal restriction and state-specific statutes.
Seasonal «Snowbird» Florida locals
Seasonal Florida homeowners might get approved for a Florida medical cannabis card. According to Senate Bill 8(A):
The term «seasonal citizen» implies any person who momentarily lives in this state for a duration of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, preserves a short-term home in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is signed up to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction.
How to Get Started
Interested in trying medical cannabis? Call CannaMD at (855) 420-9170 or finish a FREE online application today!