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

Planning a getaway ought to be enjoyable. However, given quickly developing — and typically complex — laws surrounding medical cannabis, numerous clients feel overloaded. Is it okay to use lawfully purchased medical cannabis in states where it’s illegal? Can you use your medical cannabis card in different states?
CannaMD sorts through the confusion, detailing whatever Florida residents need to understand about utilizing medical cannabis beyond the Sunshine State.
State vs. federal law
Much like using medical cannabis in property apartment or condos, taking a trip with cannabis boils down to federal versus state law. Unfortunately, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug (similar to heroin, LSD, and euphoria) — which implies selling, buying, and/or possessing the compound is a criminal offense.
Since federal law supersedes state law, this also means that taking cannabis across state lines (even if both states allow medical cannabis use) is prohibited.
As lawyer Allison Malsbury explains:
From a legal perspective, it’s really cut and dried. In practice, however, it’s extremely uncertain. In practice, the chances of feds or the DEA sitting at the border waiting to catch someone — that’s just not happening. It’s not practical or worth their time.
However, Americans for Safe Access reminds patients:
The best law enforcement encounter is the encounter that never happens.
Bear in mind: Crossing state lines with medical cannabis is still a federal offense.
States where recreational cannabis is legal
Fortunately, a number of states permit patients to side-step travel issues by allowing legal access to recreational cannabis. Note: This does not indicate that patients can make medical purchases (although a couple of states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards).
Here’s a look at states where recreational usage is legal (last updated 5/11/21):
Individuals of legal age might buy recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For more information, see: The Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants (no greater than 3 mature)
Individuals of legal age (21+) might purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To learn more, see: The Arizona Department of Health Services: Marijuana.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants per person (no more than 12 per house); 5g of hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For additional information, see: The California Cannabis Portal.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 6 plants; 8 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age might buy cannabis from dispensaries. For more details, see: Colorado Marijuana.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants (no more than 3 fully grown); 1 oz. hash/concentrates
Adults 21 and older are permitted to possess and buy cannabis reliable January 1, 2020. With the guv’s signature, Illinois became the very first state to authorize legal sales through the state legislature rather than a ballot measure. For more information, see: Overview of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Possession Limit: 30 g. usable; 5 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age might utilize recreational cannabis. Maine likewise accepts out-of-state medical cannabis cards (discussed in the next area). For more details, see: The Maine Marijuana Legalization Act and Chapter 409 Public Law.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. functional; as much as 15 plants (no greater than 3 mature); 5 g. hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For more details, see: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 6 plants; 5 g. concentrates
Individuals 21 years and older might purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For more details, see: The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz usable
Individuals 21 years and older may acquire recreational cannabis from dispensaries. For more information, see: Montana Secretary of State — Ballot Measure 190.
Individuals of legal age may acquire leisure cannabis from dispensaries. Nevada likewise accepts out-of-state medical cannabis cards (talked about in the next area). For additional information, see: Marijuana in Nevada.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 6 plants; 3.5 g. hash/concentrates
New Jersey passed recreational cannabis legislation that entered into effect January 1, 2021, nevertheless, up until Governor Phil Murphy passes extra «enabling legislation» that lays out the full information of how cannabis can be produced and distributed, the new recreational law remains in limbo. Governor Murphy has actually guaranteed to pass final legislation on this matter within his first 100 days in workplace. For more information, see: State of New Jersey: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 183.
Possession Limit: 6 oz. functional
Individuals of legal age (21+) may begin acquiring leisure cannabis from dispensaries on June 29th, 2021. Commercial sales will officially start in 2022. To learn more, see: HB2: New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act.
Possession Limit: 2 oz usable; 6 plants per person (no more than 12 per home); 16g hash/concentrates; 800mg edibles
New york city passed Senate Bill S854A on March 31, 2021 which officially legalized leisure cannabis use for adults 21 years and older. To find out more, see: New York State Health: Marijuana Program.
Possession Limit: 3 oz functional; 12 plants (without any more than 6 fully grown plants and 6 immature per residence); 24g hash/concentrates
Individuals of legal age may acquire leisure cannabis from dispensaries. To learn more, see: Oregon Recreational Marijuana.
SOUTH DAKOTA *
South Dakota residents passed legislation to enable individuals 21 years of age and older to acquire leisure cannabis from dispensaries. Although initially set to go live in July of 2021, on Feb. 8, 2021, a South Dakota evaluated ruled that Amendment A (which would have legislated recreational cannabis) breached a state rule that constitutional changes just cover one subject. Governor Kristi Noem is presently working diligently to overturn the modification. Meanwhile, cannabis advocacy groups are preparing to appeal the ruling to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
While the issue is held up in the courts, recreational cannabis will remain prohibited in the state. For more information, see: South Dakota: Constitutional Amendment A.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable
Individuals of legal age may purchase recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To find out more, see: The State of Vermont Marijuana Commission.
Recreational ownership of cannabis for grownups of legal age (21+) will enter into impact on July 1, 2021. Commercial sales are set to begin on January 1, 2024. For more details, see: Virginia State: SB 1333 and HB 2218.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 4 plants
Individuals of legal age might acquire recreational cannabis from dispensaries. To find out more, see: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. usable; 16 oz. strong marijuana-infused, 72 oz. liquid infused; 7 oz. of focuses
* WASHINGTON, D.C.
Individuals of legal age may buy leisure cannabis from dispensaries. To find out more, see: The DC Metro Police Department.
Using and/or purchasing cannabis with an out-of-state medical cannabis card
Several states allow medical cannabis use and/or purchases with out-of-state medical cannabis cards. This list (last upgraded 5/11/21) includes:
Alaska enables both leisure and medical cannabis. Out-of-state medical cannabis cards are not recognized, however any adult over 21 can buy cannabis at a leisure dispensary. To learn more, see: What You Need to Know about Using Marijuana in Alaska.
Possession Limit: 1 oz. useable; 6 plants (no more than 3 fully grown)
Arizona permits checking out patients to use medical cannabis (with a state-approved card); however, non-residents are not allowed to buy cannabis from a dispensary. To learn more, see: Arizona Medical Marijuana FAQs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable; 12 plants
Arkansas currently permits «visiting certified clients» who have a legitimate medical cannabis card provided by another state to acquire and have cannabis. To learn more, see: Arkansas Medical Marijuana FAQs.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable per 14-day period
With the death of Proposition 64, California formally opened its doors to medical cannabis clients 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 certified patients with a valid card. To learn more, see: Proposition 64: 34011 (g).
Possession Limit: 1 oz. functional; 8 g concentrate; 6 plants matured (contingent on regional regulations)
Although recreational cannabis is legal in Colorado, non-residents (no matter their status as a medical cannabis cardholder) are bound to stricter possession limits. For more details, see: Colorado Laws About Marijuana Use.
Possession Limit for all non-residents: 1 oz. usable; 8 g concentrate; May only buy 1/4 oz. functional at a time
Possession Limit for homeowners with a medical cannabis card: 2 oz. functional; 56 g concentrate; 6 plants
Hawaii allows for «certified clients from other states who have been validated in their house state and registered in Hawaii. » For more information, see: Hawaii Department of Health Medical Cannabis Registry Program.
Possession Limit: 4 oz. useable per 15-day duration
Effective January 1, 2020, adults 21 and older might have cannabis and purchase cannabis items in certified shops. Non-residents may acquire 15 grams of cannabis, 250 mg. of THC in a cannabis-infused product, and 2.5 grams of focused cannabis items. For more information see: Overview of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Possession Limit: 15 g. usable; 2.5 g. hash/concentrates
Maine allows visiting clients to utilize medical cannabis if they have a legitimate Maine-approved composed physician certificate kind, which has actually been finished, signed and dated by the going to client’s home-jurisdiction dealing with doctor. The kind is offered on the DHHS website. For more information, see: Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in Maine.
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. useable; approximately 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 recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. For additional information, see: Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission: Registration.
Visiting patients with a medical cannabis card may purchase and utilize medical cannabis. For more details, see: Michigan Medical Marijuana Act 333.26424, Sec. 4(h).
Possession Limit: 2.5 oz. usable; 12 plants
Per the Mississippi State Department of Health: «MSDH is presently working to develop production, guideline and licensing structures in time for the target date of August 15, 2021. Initiative 65 needs that regulations for all aspects of the program, consisting of production and licensing for sale, need to remain in location by July 1, 2021. As we make development we will keep the general public fully informed.» For more information, see: Mississippi State Department of Health: Medical Marijuana Regulation and Licensure.
Possession Limit: N/A
Only irreversible Missouri homeowners who have a valid medical cannabis license may acquire medical cannabis from a dispensary. Missouri does not currently recognize medical cannabis cards from other states although arrangements are in location to hopefully change this. To find out more, please describe: The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services: Medical Marijuana Rules.
Possession limitation for medical cannabis patients: 4 oz useable per 30-day duration
You do not need a medical cannabis card to acquire recreational cannabis in Montana. However, Montana does recognize valid 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 require a medical cannabis card in order to acquire leisure cannabis in the state of Nevada. However, Nevada does honor legitimate medical cannabis cards from other states. Cardholders from Florida may go shopping in medical cannabis dispensaries. To learn more, please describe Nevada Legal Use Possession & Consumption.
Possession limitation for non medical patients: 1 oz. usable; ⅛ oz concentrate; 6 plants (but ONLY if there is no MMTC within 25 miles of the residential or commercial property you’re growing at and you have composed approval from the property owner)
Possession limit for medical cannabis patients: 2.5 oz useable per 14-day period; 12 plants
As long as clients are licensed to use cannabis for a condition approved by New Hampshire, visitors can use medical cannabis (nevertheless, they can not make purchases at dispensaries). To find out more, see: Therapeutic Cannabis Program Registry Rules, He-C 401.16, Visiting Qualifying Patients.
Possession Limit: 2 oz. functional
Patients going to Oklahoma with a medical cannabis card from another state may get a short-term registration from Oklahoma at an expense of $100. To find out more, 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. usable in public; 8 oz. home-grown functional at home; 4 plants; 16 oz. strong marijuana-infused, 72 oz. liquid-infused; 1 oz. extract at home of hash/concentrates
Rhode Island permits visiting patients to use and buy 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 recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards, although any adult 21+ with a legitimate ID might acquire 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. functional; 6 plants (no more than 2 mature); 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 additional 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 instilled; 7 oz. of concentrates
Possession limitation for resident card-holders only: 3 oz functional; 48 oz strong instilled; 216 oz liquid instilled; 21 g concentrate; 6 — 15 plants depending on doctor referral.
* WASHINGTON D.C.
Washington D.C. accepts medical cannabis cards from states with «functionally equivalent programs.» Fortunately for CannaMD patients, Florida is among these accepted states! For additional information, see: DC Health Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Jurisdictions
Possession Limit: 2 oz. usable; 6 plants, 3 mature
Medical cannabis reciprocity laws
States accepting out-of-state medical cannabis cards practice what is called reciprocity. While reciprocity laws — specifically in states that allow medical purchases — help visitors avoid a number of travel-related legal concerns, it’s essential to remain conscious of both cannabis’s federal prohibition and state-specific statutes.
Seasonal «Snowbird» Florida citizens
Seasonal Florida citizens may qualify for a Florida medical cannabis card. According to Senate Bill 8(A):
The term «seasonal resident» means anybody who briefly lives in this state for a duration of a minimum of 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary home in this state, go back to the state or jurisdiction of his/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!