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Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.
However, when it comes to travelling with medical cannabis or even CBD products, the rules can be confusing, especially as laws differ between countries and even transport providers.
We’ll be exploring some things to keep in mind when it comes to flying with medical cannabis prescriptions below.
Is It Legal to Fly with CBD in the UK?
So, can you fly with CBD in the UK? Well, it’s legal to fly with CBD within the UK as long as the product meets UK regulations. These regulations being, that it must contain no more than the legal THC limit, which is to not exceed 1mg of THC per 'container' (bottle or packet), and be properly labelled.
But, keep in mind, if you’re heading abroad, these may not be the rules in the country you’re travelling to. So, it’s always a good idea to check the regulations of the place you’re visiting. A quick look on their official government website should give you the answers you need, or get in touch with the embassy.
To stay on the safe side, always ensure your CBD products are purchased from regulated UK suppliers to avoid any legal issues when travelling. Places like our sister pharmacy, Montu. And because they’re non-prescription products, you can order them without a prescription, but still trust the source you’re purchasing from.
But what about travelling with medical cannabis UK, which can contain higher levels of THC?
Can You Travel with Prescription Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis is prescription medication, so in theory, you should be able to travel if you have your valid prescription from a UK-registered doctor, and are a patient with a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf. We also provide travel letters for free, which is essentially a letter that explains you’re a patient with us, and that your prescription is legal. You can find out more about how to become a patient here, or complete our 30 second questionnaire.
A few other tips include:
- Follow Government guidance of the country you’re travelling from and to
- Follow your airline’s guidance - if you’re using other forms of transport, it’s a good idea to check their rules too
- Carry your medication in its original packaging, and make sure the label is clearly visible
- Carry a printed copy of your prescription (we recommend keeping a back up, digitally on your phone too)
What Documents Are Needed for Travel?
As we mentioned above, documents that you’ll typically need if you’re planning on taking prescription cannabis abroad include:
- A copy of your prescription.
- A travel letter from your clinic - as we mentioned above, we provide this for free at Alternaleaf, and you can get in touch with our support team to request one. If possible, request your travel letter around 2 weeks before your trip, so it applies to your current month's active prescription.
- Some countries may require additional forms or documents to be sent. A check on the official Government’s website, or contacting the relevant embassy via email or phone, should confirm this.
Save this checklist for whenever you need it, and make sure to keep the above documents in a place you can easily access at the airport. You may be asked to show them at different security check points.
Flying Abroad: Is Medical Cannabis or CBD Legal at Your Destination?
Different countries have different laws on medical cannabis. Please contact the embassy of the country you’re travelling to before your trip to find out what their rules are. This includes any stop-overs. They’ll be able to provide more information on whether medical cannabis is allowed, and will have the most up-to-date and reliable information.
Although this article is largely focussed on flying, it’s also good to keep in mind that rules across different forms of transport vary. Some airlines are known to allow medical cannabis, depending on their policies and the laws of both your departure and destination countries.
But sometimes travelling isn’t as simple as a flight to your destination and back home again. Other forms of transport, such as cruise ships and ferries, may have stricter rules. It's always best to check in advance with your travel provider.
Tips for Travelling Safely with Medical Cannabis or CBD
There aren’t really a set of clear UK airport rules specifically for CBD or THC. But we do have some tips for you. Following these as a guideline, may make travelling smoother.
- Carry your medication, or any other CBD products, like oils and edibles, in your hand luggage
- If you’re taking taking CBD oil on a plane, or travelling with carts and oils, these should be placed with your liquids
- Carry a physical copy of your prescription - if you don’t have one, ask your clinic or pharmacy to send you a copy along with your travel letter - in your hand luggage
- If it makes you feel more comfortable, speak to airport security
- Try to only bring the medication you need on your trip (for some destinations, this may be a requirement)
- Don’t bring anything in an unlabeled container - remember to keep your medication in its original packaging with the label clearly visible
- We recommend travelling with plastic grinders over metal ones
- Consider smell proof luggage or bags if you’d feel more comfortable travelling with extra discretion
Having these things in your hand luggage, just makes it easier to access them. So, if someone asks to see your travel documents, you have them to hand.
If in Doubt: Check Before You Fly
To recap, for the latest legal requirements, check the rules, regulations and guidelines of the following before you travel:
- GOV.UK
- Airline
- The embassy of your destination
- Any other travel service you’re using
Seek advice from your prescribing doctor before travelling
Remember, at Alternaleaf, we have expert clinicians that are here for you at every stage of your medical cannabis journey. We’re caring professionals, as well as regulated, medical cannabis providers in the UK. Our support team is also here for you. So, if you have any other travel concerns, if you’re feeling anxious or worried, or if you simply want a bit of reassurance and guidance, talk to us.
And for more information on travelling with your medical cannabis prescription, check out some of our other articles.
Summary
Hopefully the information above will help you stay informed, prepared, and confident when traveling with your medical cannabis prescription. Medical cannabis travel laws in the UK, and the rest of the world, can be a bit confusing. So, if you’re ever in doubt, speak to an expert.
If you’re considering medical cannabis treatment, head to the Alternaleaf website. We’re the UK’s leading licensed medical cannabis clinic, with caring clinicians who have expert knowledge. Find out if you’re eligible by completing our 30 second questionnaire.