To legally shop at a dispensary, you need to be diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in West Virginia and obtain your medical marijuana certification.
If you’ve obtained a medical marijuana certification in West Virginia, you can legally purchase up to a 30-day supply of cannabis from dispensaries.
But once you’ve got your cannabis in tow, there are still regulations for how you can travel with cannabis. Staying within the boundaries of the law is important for medical marijuana patients.
While you won’t be arrested for possessing under the legal amount of legally obtained cannabis in West Virginia, you’ll want to make sure you’re traveling in a manner that keeps your status as a medical marijuana patient clear.
In this article, we’ll cover how to safely travel with cannabis in West Virginia, what to do if you’re pulled over with medical marijuana, and how to make sure you’re following the law with medical marijuana in West Virginia.
Traveling With Medical Marijuana Inside of West Virginia
Having a Medical Marijuana Certification Keeps You Legal
The only way to legally obtain cannabis in West Virginia is by having a medical marijuana certification.
Recreational cannabis, cannabis not purchased from a legal dispensary, and home-grown cannabis are not permitted in West Virginia, even for medical marijuana patients.
So, the first step in staying legal while you travel with medical marijuana is to qualify and receive a medical marijuana certification in West Virginia and only purchase your cannabis through legal dispensaries in the state.
If you’re caught with off-the-books marijuana, you won’t be protected by any of the rights that medical marijuana patients are afforded in West Virginia.
Driving With Medical Marijuana in West Virginia
Driving under the influence of cannabis in West Virginia is illegal, so refrain from using cannabis before you decide to drive.
If you’re traveling from the dispensary back to your home, you should have receipts from the dispensary and they should always be kept with your cannabis when you are traveling. A receipt is the only way to determine that the cannabis was obtained at a legal dispensary, and you don’t want to be caught without a receipt.
Additionally, you’ll need to have your Driver’s License and medical marijuana certification handy if you’re traveling with medical marijuana, because that’s how you’ll verify that it is your cannabis and you are legally possessing the cannabis.
What if I Get Pulled Over With Medical Marijuana in West Virginia?
The first thing to do if you get pulled over while possessing medical marijuana is to remain calm.
Remember, you’re a legal medical marijuana patient operating within the boundaries of the law, and you’re legally allowed to possess medical marijuana, which includes traveling home from the dispensary.
It’s important to keep in mind that medical marijuana is relatively new for West Virginia, so while many police departments may have thorough training on how to handle medical marijuana in traffic stops, some departments may not.
If there’s a significant odor of cannabis in your vehicle (hopefully there is if you bought some good cannabis!), the officer may ask you if there are any illegal drugs or marijuana in the vehicle.
If your status as a medical marijuana patient comes into question during a traffic stop for whatever reason, be prepared to produce your Driver’s License, medical marijuana certification, and receipts.
As long as you are traveling with all three of those and you aren’t under the influence of cannabis while driving, you shouldn’t have any problems with law enforcement when you have medical marijuana in your car.
Traveling With Medical Marijuana Outside of West Virginia
Driving With Cannabis Out of State
Inter-state travel with cannabis is tricky, especially if bordering states have laws that prohibit marijuana regardless of its status as medicine in your home state.
It’s usually best to leave your cannabis at home and purchase more cannabis whenever you arrive in the new state, provided it’s a medical marijuana or recreational marijuana state.
Traveling with cannabis to a state where cannabis of all kinds is prohibited is illegal, and it’s best to avoid travel to these states if possible or leave your cannabis at home for the trip.
If you’re traveling to a state that allows medical or recreational marijuana, it’s easier to just purchase more cannabis once you arrive. If for whatever reason you must bring your cannabis with you, make sure the state you’re traveling to doesn’t have any laws preventing out-of-state cannabis, and double check that there aren’t any additional requirements to do so.
Many medical marijuana states have reciprocity, meaning they accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Some states don’t have these programs and you won’t be able to purchase medical cannabis there.
Recreational states often don’t have any major requirements for visitors purchasing cannabis other than possession limits, though they typically have the broadest availability of cannabis in general. You’ll more than likely be able to find plenty of cannabis products in these states without bringing your own.
Flying With Cannabis Is Usually Not the Best Way
Flying with cannabis is a little trickier. Some airports, like SFO and others in California, allow you to fly out of the state with cannabis, though this is a fairly new phenomenon.
Most airports don’t have medical marijuana policies, and TSA is notoriously unconcerned with passengers traveling with cannabis. Still, it’s against the law and local authorities could be called in certain circumstances.
That certainly doesn’t mean you’re free to travel with pounds of weed, as traveling with cannabis is federally illegal. If you’re clearly transporting large amounts of cannabis for sale or distribution, you probably won’t end up in a good spot.
Traveling to a state that doesn’t allow cannabis of any kind could land you with fines or jail time, so make sure that you’re at least traveling to states with legal access to cannabis, and make sure you’re following the law.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Certification in West Virginia
Having a medical marijuana certification in West Virginia allows you to legally possess and travel with medical marijuana. Make sure to keep your Driver’s License, medical marijuana certification, and receipts on hand when you’re traveling with medical cannabis, and you should be free and clear as long as you are a certified medical marijuana patient.
Take the steps to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way! Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.