One in five Canadian travellers are hazy on whether or not they can travel with cannabis.
Now that the smoke has lifted and cannabis in Canada is legal, a new study has found that many travellers are uncertain on whether or not they can pack their pot when heading out on holiday.
The study, release by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THiA), found that 20 per cent of Canadians are unsure of the implications of travelling with marijuana.
The lowdown about travelling with cannabis
There are serious implications if you plan to leave the country with your legally purchased cannabis. The fact is, you are not allowed to take your cannabis with you when crossing the border. Legalization of the drug is strictly a homegrown matter that does not travel with you to other countries.
According to the Government of Canada: "It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border. You could be subject to criminal charges if you try to travel to other countries with any amount of cannabis in your possession. This applies to all countries, whether cannabis is legal there or not."
These rules also apply to those travelling with cannabis for medical purposes. Yet, 22 per cent of THiA’s survey respondents mistakenly believe that with a prescription they can travel with their medical marijuana. You cannot travel with cannabis—prescribed or legally purchased—across Canada’s borders. This applies to travellers leaving the country and entering it as well.
As the following Canada Border Services Agency video explains: "Keep it legal. Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out."
Travelling with cannabis within Canada
If you’re travelling domestically, you can take up to 30 grams of cannabis with you. Keep in mind however, that consumption rules vary across the country and what's legal in your home province may not be legal in the province you're visiting.
Pack travel insurance not cannabis
When your travels take you beyond Canada’s borders, leave your cannabis at home and pack travel insurance instead. Travel insurance is one of the most important items you can pack when you go on holiday. Whether you need just emergency medical coverage or a policy that includes trip cancellation and luggage loss, get travel insurance quotes today to ensure you’re covered before you take flight.
