The holidays are in full swing, and many people are planning vacations outside of Poland. Some patients are wondering how to transport medical marijuana and whether it's even legal. Transporting marijuana as a medicine is possible, but not always. Can medical marijuana be transported, and are there any formalities involved?

Transporting medical marijuana is a process that requires preparation, both formal and legal. Above all, it requires familiarity with the laws of the country where you plan to travel and planning your trip well in advance.

There are countries that regulations do not allow the transport of marijuana including medical ones, and these include, for example, France, Egypt, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and several others. The consequences can be severe penalties, including imprisonment. However, medical marijuana can be safely transported to e.g. Germany, Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic and others.

To find out if you can apply to export medical marijuana to a specific travel destination, you can contact with the embassy of the destination country in Poland or familiarize yourself with the rules for transporting medicines outside the Republic of Poland on the website Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate.

Remember that it is equally important respecting the local law, e.g. permissible places of use.

How to bring medical marijuana abroad? Important information

Many countries allow the transport of medicines containing marijuana with THC, including: dried herbs, oils, suppositories, and sprays, but requires meeting certain conditions and having appropriate documentation. The following may be required:

Medical records, including a valid prescription, as well as documents signed by a doctor that authorize you to use medical marijuana and maintain the therapeutic process. In the EU, a certificate authorizing the export of the drug for personal medical purposes issued by the Provincial Pharmaceutical Inspectorate is required. In countries outside the EU, a similar certificate issued by the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate is required. It is also advisable to have these documents translated into the language of the destination country or into English.
Reporting at the airport. If you are flying, contact the carrier and ask about procedures, e.g. for that specific airline.
Packaging. Original with information about the patient to whom it applies.
Each of these procedures applies to every drug, even if it is another package of the same preparation.
Quantity: The maximum amount of medical marijuana that can be imported is the amount resulting from the dosage indicated on the prescription, multiplied by the number of days of travel, departure or stay abroad.
Printed prescription for medicine
Printed invoice with your name confirming the purchase of the drug

When the process is too complicated or you don't have time anymore

Certainly don't attempt to transport marijuana illegally. You won't avoid punishment, even if you have a wealth of documentation confirming the need for cannabis treatment.

If you are unable to use the medical marijuana import procedures, you must interrupt your treatment for the duration of your trip or simply cancel your trip. Alternatively, you can consult a local doctor and obtain a prescription in your destination country.