Can I Use My Florida Medical Marijuana Card in Other States?

March 31st, 2020

Can I Use My Florida Medical Marijuana Card in Other States?

While medical marijuana remains a Schedule I narcotic at the federal level it has been legalized for some states. Many have agreements between them to allow out-of-state medical marijuana cards. This is known as “reciprocity.” Florida does not yet offer reciprocity, that is, those with out-of-state medical marijuana cards cannot use them in Florida. However, Floridians can use a medical marijuana card in some other states with certain guidelines. Read on to learn which states allow the use of your Florida medical marijuana card.1

Medical Marijuana (MMJ) is used to treat a number of qualifying conditions. Those explicitly defined in Florida’s medical marijuana law are cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, seizures, Crohn’s disease, chronic muscle spasms, PTSD, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. (The expanded list of qualifying conditions may be found at dev1.docmj.com.) Find out if you pre-qualify for a recommendation in just two steps! First, take our eligibility survey. Once qualified for an in-person exam, you’ll receive scheduling instructions for a visit to one of our Florida Medical Marijuana Doctors. Completing the survey takes only 5 minutes. Find out if you pre-qualify for a medical marijuana recommendation today!

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

To date, thirty-three states have implemented medical marijuana programs, with many more seeking legalization via their respective voting measures. As such, many Florida patients want to know whether they can buy medical marijuana in other states where it is legal, and whether they can take medical marijuana products across state lines.

First, reciprocity entails one states’ acceptance of a medical marijuana card obtained in another state. When visiting one of these states, card carrying medical marijuana patients will not be prosecuted for possession of marijuana as long as they follow the laws in that state. The following are states that honor out-of-state medical marijuana cards:2

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
New Hampshire
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Washington
Washington D.C.

What Are the Stipulations?

Varying from state-to-state, guidelines are in place to govern medical marijuana use for out-of-state patients. In some states, for example, patients may use their card to purchase products at local dispensaries, whereas others only protect from criminal charges but do not allow purchases at their dispensaries. In those states that allow dispensary purchases, the dispensary owners may decide against it. It is a good idea to call ahead to ask if the dispensary will accept an out-of-state medical marijuana card.

In states where recreational marijuana is legal, such as in California, Colorado, and Nevada, patients do not need to show their card. The exception to this is that some states limit recreational use to adults over 21 years of age. In that case, patients must display a medical marijuana card when purchasing products at dispensaries.

When visiting dispensaries in other states, most require registration as a new patient to receive an out-of-state medical marijuana card. For example, Hawaii requires patients to pay $49.50 within 60 days prior to arrival and an application for an electronic certification.2

Many states impose possession limits, such as Colorado, where patients are limited to 1 oz. “usable,” 6 plants (no more than 3 mature), and 1 oz. of hash/concentrates.3 For more information on marijuana state laws and possession limits, see “Medical Marijuana Laws by State” at FindLaw.4

Can I Travel Across State Lines While Carrying Medical Marijuana?

In most cases, medical marijuana patients cannot carry marijuana products across the lines of the state in which they are registered as patients. As of now, and according to federal law, this is still considered drug trafficking. Depending on what quantity a patient is carrying, penalties can include fines of at least $250,000 and prison time.5 Federal law also prohibits the transport of marijuana plants, even if for medical purposes, and even to states where marijuana is legal. The only exception is for those who are traveling from a dispensary or moving between residences within their own state where marijuana is legal. Overall, the following guidelines should be adhered to:

“Even if you are registered in your home state and have a prescription, if you are traveling to or through a state where medical marijuana is not legal, then you can be arrested for possession of marijuana.
If you cross state lines with medical marijuana, you can be arrested for drug trafficking, a federal offense.
If you are traveling to a state that acknowledges other state’s medical marijuana cards, then you can register in that state and buy medical marijuana there instead.”6

Patients should research all guidelines ahead of time for the state they intend to travel to, and flying is just as risky as driving. The TSA upholds federal law, meaning all marijuana is illegal. If a passenger is suspected of carrying it, they must be reported to local, state, or federal authorities.5

Is Medical Marijuana Right for Me?

Whether medical marijuana will help your condition depends on many factors best evaluated by a medical doctor. If you feel you may benefit from medical marijuana, the first step is to take our eligibility survey. In just 5 minutes, you could pre-qualify for a Florida medical marijuana recommendation. A Florida Marijuana Marijuana Doctor can then determine if you qualify during an in-person exam. For more information, visit https://docmj.com.

*Editorial credit: BestStockFoto / Shutterstock.com

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Can I Use My Florida Medical Marijuana Card in Other States?

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