Traveling and Cannabis

                Traveling across state lines is a difficult challenge for patients who use cannabis for their qualifying conditions, and the law is tricky to navigate.  Iowa is almost completely surrounded by states with legal cannabis status and this adds an extra layer of complexity that may cause issues for patients who are trying to alleviate their health issues without breaking the law.

                Many states offer reciprocity to Iowa medical cards, often with a quick form for the patient to fill out and a small fee.  South Dakota, for instance, offers reciprocity, allowing Iowa medical cannabis patients to get a South Dakota medical card to purchase and use cannabis legally while within their state borders. 

                Some states, all of which are distant from Iowa, such as Louisiana and New Mexico, have full reciprocity for out-of-state cards and allow for purchase and possession of medical cannabis.

                States with full legal status, such as Illinois and Missouri, do not require a medical card for purchase, but may recognize Iowa’s medical cards for discounts or increases in purchasing ability at the dispensaries.

“Can I bring the cannabis I purchase in another state back home?”

                The easy answer is NO. 

                The confusion often arises when patients ask about bringing their cannabis products back to Iowa.  Because cannabis is still federally illegal, it is still illegal to transport cannabis products, even those purchased legally, across state lines.  Crossing state lines with cannabis products, even those purchased legally, is considered drug trafficking and can lead to prosecution and up to five years in prison punishment.  Obviously, it is not worth it to take cannabis across state lines.

                There is some confusion regarding the law and possession of cannabis products in Iowa that were purchased in other states.  Some patients believe the law says that possession of out-of-state products in Iowa is legal if the authorities cannot prove the patient transported the products across state lines.  While this is possibly true -I am not an attorney- I advise patients that it is not worth the risk.  The police may be able to identify products that are not from Iowa dispensaries and may arrest individuals for possession of out-of-state products.  This is a legal battle that patients will want to avoid, as it will no doubt be an expensive and tumultuous experience.

“Can I take my Iowa cannabis products on my trip in my car?”

                I wouldn’t recommend it. 

                If you’re traveling to a legal state, such as Missouri, it is still unadvisable to take your products across state lines, as it is a federal crime. If going to a state without a medical cannabis program, where cannabis is still illegal, or a state that doesn’t accept Iowa medical cards, it is definitely a dangerous gamble to take your Iowa cannabis products.  If caught by police in those states, your card will NOT protect you from arrest, prosecution, and punishment.  As stated, crossing state lines with cannabis is considered trafficking and can lead to prosecution.

“Can I take my cannabis products on an airplane?”

                Definitely NO.

It is even more so inadvisable to attempt to take cannabis products onto airplanes, as this is illegal and people are easy for authorities to identify.   Patients should not take their Iowa products on planes when traveling, nor should they take products from other states on a plane back to Iowa.  Taking cannabis products into an airport in an attempt to take them onto a plane will almost assuredly end in legal issues.

“How do I treat my health issue in a state where cannabis is not allowed?”

                This is a tough issue.  If a state does not allow cannabis purchase or possession or if the state does not recognize an Iowa card, Iowa medical cannabis cardholders will have to find alternative methods for treating their medical issues. Pharmaceuticals prescribed by the patient’s primary care provider or specialist, alternative treatment therapies, or legal over-the-counter medications and supplements are all viable options to use when cannabis is not an option, even if they are not as effective or desirable as cannabis.  These therapies at the very least help avoid legal issues.