Those of you who are new to medical (or recreational) cannabis may not be familiar with the term “canna tourism.” It simply means traveling to certain destinations to consume legal cannabis. Those who consume recreational cannabis may have travelled as far as Amsterdam in the past to get legal products but now – with many states in the US fully legalizing – this industry is picking up stateside.
While canna tourism may sound like an interesting idea for a vacation, those who travel to seek medical cannabis regard the trip in a very different manner. Patients who live in certain states without medical cannabis are often forced to travel in order to get their medicine. As we’ve discussed previously, these travellers are often desperate parents that need to get CBD for their epileptic children.
And though this may seem like a good idea for those who live in states without access to medical cannabis, it's important to do some research before you pack your bags:
Know the Law
When traveling to another state to obtain medical cannabis, patients need to be aware of the laws that state has in place regarding the purchase and use of cannabis. Patients may need to have a state-certified medical card to purchase cannabis, which is not available for out-of-towners in some places. This means that you might only be able to purchase recreational cannabis (if legalized in that state) – and that you may not be able to buy as much product or save taxes on your purchase.
Read more about one patient's journey on a medical canna tour.
You Can’t Take It With You
The most frustrating part of medical canna tourism is likely the fact that you cannot take your medical cannabis home with you. Whether traveling by train, plane, or car, when you cross a state border, you are subject to the jurisdiction of that state – so if you get caught carrying cannabis, you could face legal consequences – even though you purchased it legally.
Your Response May Be Varied
If you decide to take medical cannabis, you need to remember that you may not be able to predict your body's response, especially if you have never used cannabis before. While cannabis is rather safe, states with legalized cannabis often sell products with high doses of CBD or THC or CBD:THC. Everyone is different and no one responds the same way – therefore, if you are very sensitive to the effects of cannabis (or are a new user), you could feel paranoid or anxious. At lower doses, however, you may experience greater benefits. You also may find over time that you respond best to CBD or a CBD:THC mix. As many say in the industry, "start low and go slow."
Your Doctor Won’t Be There
While cannabis dispensaries have knowledgeable budtenders and managers who can help guide you on the right product to avoid some of the possible scenarios described above, you won’t have your doctor there to talk to in case a problem arises or if you have questions about certain products. So it’s best to discuss your canna tourism trip, if you decide to take one, with your doctor beforehand so he or she is fully aware of your plans.
Want to learn more about canna tourism? Watch this short video about visiting a medical cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California for the first time: