As long as your patient has a valid, legal prescription for medicinal cannabis, they are entitled to carry their medication between all states and territories within Australia. If your patient is planning on travelling within the country, there are some things you can remind them of to ensure they carry their medications safely and responsibly.
In this article, we’ll shed light on some of the most important things your patients should consider before travelling in Australia.
Can your patient travel interstate with medicinal cannabis in Australia?
If your patient has received a legal prescription for medicinal cannabis from you or another qualified doctor or healthcare practitioner, they are legally allowed to travel with their prescribed medications between all states and territories within Australia.
This includes all legally prescribed medicinal cannabis formats, including:
- Oils
- Flowers
- Tablets
- Wafers
We recommend encouraging your patients to keep their medication in the original packaging with the pharmacy label attached whenever they are planning on travelling with their medicine. Your patients should also carry a valid photo ID that matches the name on the label of their medication for identification purposes.
If you know your patient has upcoming travel plans within Australia, you can also provide them with a proof of prescription letter for them to carry during their domestic travels.
Can medicinal cannabis patients fly with their medication in Australia?
Yes, your patients are allowed to carry their medicinal cannabis treatments onboard when flying between states in Australia, as long as they have a valid prescription. Before travelling, medicinal cannabis patients should ensure that their medication is in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached.
Remind your patient of the importance of bringing any relevant scripts and photo ID to support the fact that they are carrying these treatments legally.
It is not uncommon to encounter sniffer dogs or law enforcement at the airport, especially for people who may be travelling with dried cannabis flower. As long as your patient is carrying their medication in its original packaging and photo ID that matches the name on the label of the medication, they are permitted to travel with their treatments.
Can medicinal cannabis be packed in carry-on luggage or does it need to be checked on domestic flights?
There are no specific guidelines as to whether patients should carry their medication with them onto the cabin or put it in their checked luggage. Some patients may prefer to keep their medications handy in their carry-on baggage in case they need to take them at the airport or during their flight, or if they’re worried about their luggage going missing.
Other patients may be comfortable having their medications in their checked luggage. Either way, patients carrying medicinal cannabis (even with a valid prescription) still run the risk of being stopped or having their baggage searched, so always encourage your patients to carry documentation that supports their legal patient status.
There are airline restrictions for travelling with personal vaporisers. Most airlines require these devices to be in a patient’s carry-on baggage and prohibit their use and charging during the flight.
If a patient under your care is planning on travelling with a personal vaporiser, encourage them to check with their airline prior to flying to find out if they have any specific rules or regulations for travelling with personal vaporisers.
Is it legal for patients to travel and/or fly with their vape in Australia?
Legally, your patients are allowed to carry anything that has been prescribed by their doctor for the treatment of their medical condition. While vapes aren’t prescribed, if you have recommended or authorised one for use with your patient’s medication, they are allowed to travel with one.
When it comes to flying with a vape, airlines will have specific rules and guidelines around what patients can and can’t do. Most airlines require personal vaporiser devices to be in a person’s carry-on baggage and prohibit their use and charging during the flight. Encourage any travelling patients to check with their airline prior to flying out to find out what their rules are for travelling with personal vaporisers.
If prescribing a medicinal cannabis patient with a flower for vaporisation, we recommend they use one of the devices listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), such as the Volcano Medic, Mighty Medic, or Mighty+ Medic.
Can medicinal cannabis patients consume their medication while they travel in Australia?
If your patient is consuming a form of medication that does not need to be vaporised, such as an oil, topical, or wafer tablet, then they can take their medication just as they would any other medication.
If your patient plans to vape their medication in a public smoking area, they should be cautious to ensure that no one else could inhale their medication vapour by being in proximity to them. As the medication is prescribed for the patient and only the patient, they need to ensure that it is not affecting anyone around them by only vaping in non-crowded public smoking areas, or in private.
Driving with any amount of THC in your system is currently illegal in all states except Tasmania. Patients travelling by car or vehicle in any state except for Tasmania will need to ensure that they do not have any THC in their system.
How should medicinal cannabis be stored while travelling in Australia?
While travelling, it’s always best to keep medicinal cannabis treatments in their original packaging with the pharmacy label attached. This will ensure that if your patient is stopped or has their baggage checked, they can verify their patient status by matching their photo ID to the patient name on the pharmacy label and the medication names listed on the prescription can be aligned with those on the packaging.
As much as possible, patients should try to maintain the quality and efficacy of their medication by storing it correctly while they travel. For cannabis flower medications, that means minimising exposure to heat, light and air. For all other medication types, that simply means following the storage guidelines on the medication label.
Can patients travel with medical cannabis internationally?
Because cannabis laws vary so much between countries and states, flying internationally with medical cannabis as a patient can be both difficult and risky. Before leaving Australia, patients should contact the Embassy or Consulate of the countries they intend to visit, including any countries where they will have a layover between flights, to find out what restrictions they have for travelling with cannabis medicines.
Each country has its own required documentation for customs clearance when carrying medicinal cannabis, and some prohibit medical cannabis entirely.
Travelling with medicinal cannabis in Australia checklist
The main thing your patients should keep in mind while travelling around Australia with their medicinal cannabis treatment include:
- Ensuring they have access to a copy of their script that outlines their list of approved medications
- Carrying current, valid photo ID that matches the information on medication labels and scripts
- Keeping medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached
- Pay attention to the restrictions on certain treatment formats or delivery methods, such as vaping in crowded, public areas
- Be mindful of any driving restrictions that exist – driving with any amount of THC in the system is illegal in all states except for Tasmania
The bottom line
Patients with a legal prescription for medicinal cannabis in Australia can travel with their medication between all states and territories, including oils, flowers, tablets, and wafers. It is recommended that they keep their medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached and carry a valid photo ID that matches the name on the medication label.
There are no specific guidelines on whether the medication should be in carry-on or checked luggage. Patients should check airline regulations regarding personal vaporisers before flying. While consuming non-vaporised forms of medication is permitted as with any other medication, patients should avoid vaping in crowded public areas.
Driving with any THC in the system is illegal in all states except Tasmania.
Proper storage of medicinal cannabis during travel is essential to maintain its quality and efficacy. International travel with medicinal cannabis is complex and risky due to varying laws, and patients should consult the relevant embassies or consulates before travelling.
