Medical Cannabis in Other States: Patients Have 3 Options
We are fast approaching the time of year when Americans are starting to think about vacations. Many of us will travel to neighboring states to enjoy a variety of attractions, state parks, entertainment venues, and so forth. But for the medical cannabis user, interstate travel can be a challenge.
Using medical cannabis in another state is not as straightforward as it ought to be. There are complications, particularly because it is still illegal to carry medical cannabis across state lines. It will remain illegal as long as marijuana remains on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Amid rumors that medical marijuana will be moved to Schedule III, it is important to know that any such rescheduling will probably not change the ban on interstate transport. So for the foreseeable future, medical cannabis patients planning to visit other states need to make other arrangements. Fortunately, there are three options. The best option for any given patient depends on what the destination state allows.
Option #1: Reciprocity
The first option is reciprocity. For the purposes of state law, reciprocity is a principle dictating that one state recognizes what another state does. Drivers’ licenses are the perfect example. All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories practice reciprocity. That means you can drive anywhere in this country with a valid state driver’s license, regardless of the state that issued it.
Some states practice reciprocity in the medical cannabis realm. Perhaps the best example here is Nevada. The Silver State recognizes medical cannabis cards from every other state that issues them. A patient can walk into any Nevada medical cannabis dispensary, show their card from Beehive Farmacy, and make a purchase with no questions asked.
Most states that practice reciprocity are not as liberal as Nevada. They require that a visiting patient’s medical condition be one included on their own list. Some reciprocity states also give dispensaries the option to decline out-of-state cards.
Option #2: Non-Resident Visitor Card
The second option is something known as the non-resident visitor card. This is a state-issued card that gives an out-of-state visitor temporary access to medical cannabis for a limited amount of time. For this option, Utah is a good example.
Utah’s non-resident visitor card is good for up to 21 consecutive days. An out-of-town visitor can apply for the card well in advance of his visit, ensuring that he has his card on the day he enters the state. Visitors can apply for up to two cards per calendar year. The application fee is minimal, at just $15. However, a non-resident visitor card does not grant permission to carry unused medical cannabis out of the state.
Option #3: The Recreational Market
The third option is to forgo the medical market altogether and purchase cannabis from the recreational market. Of course, this assumes you are visiting a state with a recreational program. Prime examples include California, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado.
There are two potential downsides to going with this option: higher prices and lower quality cannabis. Many of the states with both recreational and medical programs insist that medical cannabis be of a higher quality. As for price, the combination of state taxes and higher demand for recreational marijuana keeps prices higher than they are on the medical market.
If you are a medical cannabis patient with plans to travel to another state this year, do yourself a favor and check the regulations of that state before you go. Remember, it is illegal for you to carry medical cannabis across state lines – even with a valid medical cannabis card.
