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CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — As Utahns hit the road and board flights for summer travel, WholesomeCo, the state’s largest medical cannabis operator, has compiled important tips for Utah medical cannabis cardholders.
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Given that the number of medical cannabis cardholders in Utah tripled last year and regulations regarding cannabis and travel vary greatly among states, WholesomeCo’s experts have outlined the legalities to keep in mind when traveling with cannabis across Utah and beyond.
“With the number of medical cannabis cardholders rapidly increasing in Utah and our goal to normalize cannabis as a natural path to health and wellness, we want to ensure all patients are informed and prepared when traveling,” said Chris Jeffrey, founder and CEO of WholesomeCo. “By following these practices, medical cannabis cardholders can travel with ease and confidence this summer.”
Driving with cannabis in Utah
You can take your medical cannabis with you for your trip from one end of the state to the other, as long as you have your Utah medical cannabis card with you and are in possession of 113 grams of cannabis flower or less and 20 grams of active THC or less. Just follow these simple guidelines below:
- Products must be transported in the original container or package and inside the opaque bag or box given to you by the pharmacy from which you purchased your medicine.
- If you’re a caregiver, you may transport the patient’s medicine for them and carry and present the patient’s card for them (make sure you have yours as well, if applicable).
- Store all medical cannabis, medical cannabis products or medical cannabis devices in a vehicle in a closed/locked bag or another container outside of reach (i.e., in the trunk or backseat).
With the exception of an “emergency medical condition,” a medical cannabis patient cardholder, a provisional patient cardholder or a nonresident patient may not use medical cannabis or a cannabis product in public view.
Driving across state lines with cannabis
Utah residents carrying a legal medical cannabis card for a qualifying condition cannot travel to a neighboring state while in possession of medical cannabis. The reason is because of the illegality of cannabis at the federal level. Even if you were going from one state where medical cannabis is legal to another medical cannabis state or adult-use state (such as from Utah to Arizona), it would still be illegal to do so.
Flying with cannabis
While medical cannabis is legal in Utah and most other states (whether medically or for adult use), cannabis is still considered an illegal Schedule I substance at the federal level. This means that whether you’re flying out of Utah into another state, from another state into Utah or within the state of Utah, you cannot under any circumstances be in possession of cannabis when on board an aircraft, even if you have your medical cannabis card with you.
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“These days, the TSA is fairly lenient at many airports when it comes to cannabis. They are looking more for items that may put passengers at risk, like firearms, not cannabis, and do not have the authority to arrest or fine you for it,” said J. D. Lauritzen, WholesomeCo’s head of legal, compliance and government affairs. “That being said, if they do find any in your luggage or on your person, they will be obligated to inform the local authorities, who have the authority to charge you for a crime.”
International travel with cannabis
If flying across the United States is precarious, then taking an international flight with your personal stash in tow is even more so. There are a couple of reasons for this. If you’re taking off from a U.S. airport, then you run again into the illegality of cannabis in federal airspace. Once you land, then you are under the jurisdiction of that country and its laws.
Each country has its own laws regarding cannabis. For example, cannabis is legal in Spain, but flying with cannabis in that country is illegal and can lead to a multi-year prison sentence.
It’s important to remember that, although cannabis legalization has made great strides in recent times, there are a number of states where it remains entirely illegal (including Utah’s neighboring states of Idaho and Wyoming).
“While there are legislative movements on both the federal and state levels to lower the harsh penalties for cannabis-related infringements, at the moment these penalties are still severe,” Lauritzen said. “Most cannabis-related crimes in Utah and in many other states are considered Class B misdemeanors, which may result in a $1,000 fine and six months in prison for the illegal possession/use of cannabis. The penalties for medical cannabis cardholders that violate the law may be less severe in certain instances, however.”
How to get a medical cannabis card
Getting a medical cannabis card in Utah is a straightforward process. The first step is to visit a qualified medical provider, who will determine if medical cannabis is right for you. Next, register with the state at id.utah.gov. Finally, register on WholesomeCo’s site and shop their online menu to make your first delivery or pickup order. They offer free, same-day delivery to 99% of Utah’s population.
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About WholesomeCo
One of only four vertically integrated medical cannabis operators in Utah, WholesomeCo is leading the movement to normalize cannabis as a natural path to health and wellness. Various medical cannabis services are offered by the company, including statewide delivery to 99% of Utah’s population as well as retail, drive-thru and online pickup services through their pharmacy in West Bountiful.
Known for technology-driven leadership and innovation, WholesomeCo is committed to improving medical cannabis accessibility by putting patients’ needs first and guiding them along their personal cannabis journeys. The WholesomeCo app is currently available for iOS and can be found in the App Store. For more information, visit Wholesome.co.
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Resources
- WholesomeCo | Address: 580 W. 100 North, West Bountiful | Telephone: 801-695-4480 | Email: [email protected] | Website.
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