What You Need to Know about Traveling with Cannabis

Table of Contents

• Can You Travel With Weed?
• Cannabis Legal Age in Canadian Provinces
• Travelling With Weed Pens and Other Cannabis Supplies
• Other Transportation
• Consequences of Travelling Illegally With Weed
• Cannabis Products Safe for Travel
• Final Thoughts on Travel with Cannabis 

After a long and patient wait, many of us are heading on a much-needed vacation or trip around the country. Maybe you’re headed on a relaxing holiday or possibly planning a trip to another province to visit family.

The biggest question on your mind is – can I bring weed on vacation?

If the thought of sparking up your favourite strain on a sunny beach in BC or experiencing edibles on a Nova Scotia camping weekend lights up your heart, you’ll definitely want to read on. After all, nobody wants to be doing jail time instead of living it up on a planned trip.

That’s why we’re going over the dos and don’ts of travelling with weed in Canada.

Can You Travel With Weed?

Since weed became legal for recreational and medicinal use in Canada, more and more people have been exploring the world of cannabis. And for those who also love travelling, bringing along some cannabis products can be a great way to get the most out of a relaxing or adventure-filled trip.

As for whether you can bring your weed along, the answer is yes and no, depending on where you’re headed. And of course, there are some restrictions to keep in mind.

International Travel with Weed

If your travel plans include a flight down south to a beach in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, or anywhere outside of the Canadian border for that matter, leave the weed at home.

Avoid getting into some serious trouble by remembering that it’s illegal to bring cannabis products with you when travelling internationally. Whether travelling by plane, train, or car, weed can’t cross international borders. In fact, you could face some serious penalties and consequences if you try!

Remember that even if you’re travelling to a state in the US where weed is legal, such as California, it’s still prohibited to carry cannabis into the states.

Domestic Travel with Weed in Canada

The good news is that if you’re trip is within Canada, you can bring a small amount of weed for personal use. 

When travelling with weed within Canada, travellers can take up to 30 grams of cannabis flower. When travelling with cannabis CBD oil or other cannabis oil products, you can take up to 100ml.

Just remember that you must still comply with the laws of both your home province and your destination in terms of legal amounts, age, and product packaging. 

Here are a few fast facts for travelling with weed in Canada before getting into the nitty gritty details.

• Follow local, and provincial guidelines.
• Check with your airline’s regulations for checked baggage and carry-on items.
• Verify the legal age of consumption in your destination province.
• Check that your products comply with travel regulations for packaging and size.
• Keep the receipts from your dispensary purchase, just in case.

Depending on where your travel destination is located, the laws for legal cannabis consumption may differ from your home city! Be sure to verify the most recent regulations before travelling with weed. Because, yes, they do change sometimes!

Travelling With Cannabis Edibles and Concentrates

Unfortunately, (although it would be a blast), it’s NOT currently legal to travel with cannabis concentrates, extracts, topicals, or edibles. Even if your alternative cannabis products are sealed and sold from a reputable provincially-sanctioned dispensary – they’re still off limits.

You can ONLY bring pre-rolled joints or dried flowers in sealed packaging when flying within Canada. You can also travel with CBD oils.

The laws and regulations in Canada for other forms of cannabis products are still being developed. So, that’s not to say that we won’t soon be able to hit up a coast-to-coast trip with a bag of edibles in tow.

Cannabis Legal Age in Canadian Provinces

Like laws for alcohol consumption, each province has its own set of rules regarding cannabis. The legal age for consumption could be different than where you are. So, if you’re somewhere in the 18-19-year-old vicinity, pay attention!

Every province has its own legal age for purchasing and consuming cannabis products. Here’s a breakdown of the current legal age for cannabis consumption by province.

• Alberta – 18
• British Columbia – 19
• Manitoba – 19
• New Brunswick – 19
• Newfoundland and Labrador – 19
• Northwest Territories – 19
• Nova Scotia – 19
• Nunavut – 19
• Ontario – 19
• PEI – 19
• Quebec – 21
• Saskatchewan – 19
• Yukon – 18

That means that if you’re 18 and flying from Alberta to BC or Manitoba, you can’t bring weed along on your flight. It would be illegal as soon as you land!

And don’t simply go by the age for alcohol consumption! Quebec, for example, allows drinking at the age of 18 but recently increase its legal cannabis age to 21.

Travelling With Weed Pens and Other Cannabis Supplies

In Canada, you’re allowed to bring cannabis paraphernalia while travelling – as long as you’re on a domestic flight. For example, it’s legal to travel with weed pens and other smoking devices. 

If you plan on travelling in Canada with a weed pen, be sure to follow the regulations involved:

• Remove the batteries or chargers from the device before travel.
• Store the device in your carry-on luggage (or checked depending on your airline’s regulations).
• If the device is glass, pack it carefully so it won’t break during your journey.
• Ensure there are no traces of cannabis in the device.

Remember that cannabis paraphernalia is illegal in many countries, including the US. So, if you’re travelling to the US, leave the weed pen at home. And claiming that it’s for “tobacco use only” usually won’t fly!

Other Transportation

While many choose to fly when travelling in Canada, there are other options for exploring our great nation. And each comes with its own set of rules for bringing along your weed.

• Train – If you travel by train – VIA Rail in particular – you’re allowed to carry a legal amount of cannabis product in either your carry-on or checked luggage. However, the railway company reserves the right to examine your bags. Smoking ON the train is, of course, prohibited.
• Bus – If you buy a ticket for the popular Greyhound bus service, you can carry a legal amount of weed during domestic trips.
• Car – When travelling with cannabis by car, it’s essential to keep your cannabis products sealed in their original packaging. Specific laws vary by province, but your safest bet is to keep it in the trunk, out of reach of anyone in the car.

Consuming cannabis products during your travel time (with any of these travel methods) can also be considered illegal and result in legal consequences.

Consequences of Travelling Illegally With Weed

Depending on the severity of the offence, travelling illegally with weed can get you into some deep trouble with the law. We’re talking jail time, a criminal record, or even up to life imprisonment!

Some of the ways the law can be broken when travelling with weed include:

• Carrying cannabis over an international border.
• Being underage.
• Carrying more than the legal limit.
• Not following the local provincial regulations and laws.

Keep in mind that in addition to travelling outside of the Canadian border, it’s also illegal to ENTER Canada carrying any products that contain cannabis! If you get to a Canadian border and realize you have weed with you, you must declare it to border services.

Playing It Safe

There are always risks involved when you choose to travel with weed. While it might seem worth it to bring your favourite plants along, be sure to consider the potential consequences before boarding your flight, bus, or train.

What happens if a storm hits and your flight gets rerouted? You may end up facing an unlucky legal situation if you end up somewhere with different cannabis laws!

It’s always a safer bet to leave your joints at home and head to a dispensary when you land. Or, you can always order from a Canadian dispensary with fast and easy delivery like Kootenay Botanicals. That way, there are no worries or stress while travelling. And you still get to enjoy some great cannabis products during your trip.

Cannabis Products Safe for Travel

If you do choose to take some cannabis products along with you on your trip within Canada, you may as well take the best. Here are a few great products to try for your next Canadian adventure.

• Skookum Animal Face – AAAA Organic Craft Cannabis (14 grams)
• Oso Fuego – Pre-Rroll Pack (5 grams total)
• Cosmic Cookies – AAA Indica Dominant Hybrid (1 to 28 grams)
• Vitalita CBD Relief – Isolate Roll On with lavender and menthol

When travelling with any products purchased from a dispensary in Canada, be sure that the packaging, quantity, and volume adheres to the regulations of your travel destination and your method of travel.

Final Thoughts on Travel with Cannabis

Before finalizing your travel plans, look into all laws and regulations regarding cannabis in both your location of departure AND your destination.

If you plan on travelling with cannabis products, make sure you know the dos and don’ts! 

Travelling with cannabis within Canada is legal – but with some strict restrictions. And failing to inform yourself of the rules and consequences can result in some very unfavourable circumstances. 

Sources:

Travel.GC.Ca – Cannabis and International Travel

The Lodge Cannabis – Can you Travel with Cannabis Concentrates in Canada

Canada.ca – Authorized cannabis retailers in the provinces and territories

Clear it.ca – Travelling with Cannabis in Canada

Cannabis Canada – Cannabis Canada What you Need to Know when Travelling