Transporting your medical cannabis

Whether you need to take a sample to have it tested, or if you are driving across the state to spend time with family, at some point you will need to transport your cannabis. This article is an effort to provide guidance on how to transport your cannabis in a responsible way.

Foremost, when dispensaries open, you are legally required to leave the medical cannabis in it’s original packaging with the original labeling intact. Beyond this, here are a few tips that should help keep you out of trouble:

1. Never drive while under the influence (legal requirement)
2. Caregivers transporting cannabis on behalf of a patient must also label the container with the patients PAT# and name and keep separate from other patient medicine, or your own personal medicine (legal requirement)
3. Never consume cannabis in your vehicle (legal requirement)
4. Locate cannabis where it is out of reach from the driver’s seat
5. Place cannabis in a locked compartment, or locked container if possible
6. Use an airtight container when possible to minimize odors
7. Label containers with Missouri Marijuana Equivalency units (MMEs) if transporting more than a nominal amount

At a minimum, you should always adhere to 1, 2, and 3. The last points are not critical, but will be a great idea and be appreciated by law enforcement.

If you can’t reach it from the driver’s seat then it is unlikely that you would have opportunity to consume while driving. If in a locked container or compartment then you have taken an additional step to prevent illegal access by others. If you prevent odors then it is less likely that you will be challenged by law enforcement if you are pulled over or involved in an accident. Labeling containers with MMEs will make it easier to demonstrate that you are within legal possession limits.

Finally, I recommend that you travel with your medicine only when necessary. The safest place for your medicine is at home under lock and key.

Safe Travels!
— The Lit Farmer —

Disclaimer: This article is not a substitute for legal advice that may be provided by a licensed attorney.