Medical Cannabis and EU travel is not as easy as you might think. But many expect the legality of marijuana to spread across Europe in the coming years. So as of now, medical marijuana users need to find out whether it is legal to take marijuana with them on business trips and vacations throughout Europe. Unfortunately, as marijuana enjoyed the early years of international law, legislation allowing for safe travel with cannabis still has a long way to go. If you plan to travel with marijuana, do very careful research to make sure you don’t run into any problems.
Marijuana in Europe
Medical marijuana is available and legal in several different EU countries. However, this does not mean that there are harmonious laws across the EU that allow travel with cannabis. It is fair to say that there is still much work to be done. Yes, you can carry marijuana in Europe. However, it is your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are traveling to. You also need to make sure that you have all the necessary documents and full contact with the country you will be visiting. But be careful, bureaucracy is bothersome and time-consuming.
Traveling between EU Schengen countries on medical cannabis
If you are traveling between Schengen countries you will need to fill out an application form. This is the Dutch version. Further information can be found here. Please note that your application will take approximately 4 weeks to process. So, if you are thinking of traveling to the EU with legal medical marijuana, you need to plan ahead. Don’t expect to organize a last-minute getaway and carry an ounce of homework and a little hash with you the next day. If you are traveling outside the Schengen country you will most likely need a letter from a doctor and a passport for medicines.
Documents and bureaucracy
It is highly recommended that you contact the embassy of your destination country for further discussion. This is usually just a simple email or phone call followed by a response moments later. This may seem like a lot of trouble, but it is a small part of the trouble you experience when caught carrying unapproved drugs. Many medical marijuana users do not travel if they cannot carry marijuana. For some, access to marijuana is much more important than choosing a country to visit for a vacation. Some medical marijuana users arrange their vacations according to the legality of marijuana in the countries they are visiting.
Can you travel within the EU with domestic medicinal cannabis?
Although many medicinal cannabis users grow their own cannabis from feminine seeds and automatic flower seeds, that doesn’t mean you can take it overseas. In fact, only 4 specific types of cannabis products are allowed. They are listed in the table below.
| BRAND NAME | DESCRIPTION | MEDICAL USERS | TYPE OF PRODUCT |
| Sativex (Nabiximols) | 1:1 THC:CBD oral spray | Multiple sclerosis | Oral spray |
| Marinol | Synthetic THC | MS, Cancer, AIDS | Gelatin capsule |
| Cesamet (Nabilone) | Synthetic THC type compound | Cancer | Capsule |
| Bedrocan | Cannabis buds/flowers | Numerous! | Cured flower buds in various THC/CBD strengths |
As official guidelines suggest, this severely limits the types of marijuana you can carry. If you want to carry cannabis flowers/buds, it must be bedrock. This is likely to change in the future as laws are modernized and cannabis is provided by new European producers. However, if you wish to travel to the EU with cannabis products, your options are limited. What’s worse, there are many mandatory documents in order to keep you free from harassment. Don’t expect to be able to travel freely within the EU with your favorite marijuana, cannabis crusher, or other unapproved extracts.
More choices for Medical Cannabis and EU travel
Marijuana smuggling is a risk that can ruin any vacation. However, some medical users are willing to take this risk. Obviously, a lot depends on the country you visit. Some countries will confiscate a small amount. Others will be happy to spoil your vacation and some will close you down too. Perhaps a better option is to plan your vacation/trip to cannabis countries, which you can purchase when you arrive.
Spain and the Netherlands. Easy local access to high-quality marijuana
Spain has a network of social cannabis clubs that offer cannabis at a reasonable price once you register and join. The Barcelona region is very well equipped with social clubs. The Netherlands is one of Europe’s oldest and most well-known destinations for marijuana lovers. In the Amsterdam area, in particular, there are many well-known cafes that are known for serving high-quality marijuana. Marijuana users traveling to North America will find Canada to be the most welcoming host with legal recreational and medicinal cannabis. The United States has legalized recreational/medicinal cannabis in about half the state. Check this out before you visit and choose the rule of law for your trip!