Traveling with Cannabis States that Accept Out of State MMJ Cards

Which States Accept Out-of-State Medical Marijuana Cards?

Traveling as a medical cannabis patient can be confusing. Each state sets its own rules for who can buy, possess, and carry medical products—and those rules change. Below is a simple, traveler-friendly guide to medical marijuana reciprocity in 2025, with clear examples and links to official programs.

Note: Always double-check a state’s website before you go; policies and portals are updated frequently.

State Reciprocity: Where Is Your MMJ Card Valid?

Medical marijuana reciprocity lets patients from certain states use their out-of-state medical card to purchase or possess cannabis when they travel. However, each state sets its own MMJ travel rules, and those rules often vary significantly.

Full Reciprocity (Purchase Allowed)

What it means: The host state honors your out-of-state medical card and lets you buy medical products—often after a quick visitor application.

Good for: Patients who want medical pricing, higher limits, or access to medical-only products.

Full Reciprocity States

These states currently accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards for both possession and purchase, without requiring a temporary card.

  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Utah
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia (for terminal cancer patients only)
  • Michigan – Dispensaries may choose to accept out-of-state cards if the patient’s home state offers reciprocity.

Temporary Card or Limited Reciprocity States

Currently, the following states issue temporary medical marijuana cards to visiting patients, allowing limited legal access to cannabis with an application, a qualifying condition, and a fee. For some on this list, adult use (21+) is still available.

  • Arizona: Recognizes out-of-state medical cards for visiting qualifying patients and limits purchases to 2.5 oz every two weeks.
  • Arkansas: Requires a $50 online visiting patient application valid for up to 90 days. Visitors may possess and purchase 2.5 oz every 14 days.
  • Hawaii: Issues 60-day temporary licenses to out-of-state patients. Those serious or terminal conditions receive expedited processing.
  • Louisiana: Accepts out-of-state cards with qualifying proof of their condition, limiting legal forms to non-smokable products.
  • Michigan: Leaves reciprocity decisions to individual dispensaries, but visitors qualify only if their home state offers reciprocity.
  • Mississippi: Requires a visiting patient application for a 15-day temporary card (renewable once) with documentation of a qualifying condition.
  • New Hampshire: Allows purchase of up to 2 oz of flower only for out-of-state and Canadian patients with qualifying conditions.
  • Oklahoma: Issues 30-day temporary licenses, allowing possession and purchase during that period.
  • Puerto Rico: Accepts out-of-state cards with patient pictures only for non-smokable forms and provides temporary certification for purchasing flower.
  • West Virginia: Extends reciprocity only to terminal cancer patients holding a valid out-of-state driver’s license or identification card.

Non-Reciprocity States

Several states listed below restrict medical cannabis access to residents only and don’t accept out-of-state MMJ cards. Patients must establish residency to register in these programs.

  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Florida – Allows possession only with valid documentation, but does not permit out-of-state cardholders to purchase from dispensaries.

FAQ About Traveling with Cannabis

Can You Drive Across State Lines With Medical Marijuana?

Traveling by car offers more flexibility than flying but driving across state lines with medical marijuana still presents legal challenges due to conflicting state and federal laws.

Federal law classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, making it illegal to transport across state lines, even between states that allow medical use. Medical marijuana reciprocity doesn’t override these federal restrictions. Crossing borders in your vehicle still violates the law, and possession remains prohibited in federal areas like highways, borders, and national parks.

States vary widely in how they handle this. Many do not allow out-of-state patients to bring cannabis with them, even if those patients have a medical marijuana card.

Traveling With Medical Marijuana by Transportation Type

Beyond planes and cars, you may use other forms of transportation while carrying your medical marijuana card and products.

  • Bus (e.g., Greyhound, Megabus): Buses cross state lines and follow federal law, which prohibits cannabis. Even with a medical card, you risk confiscation or being denied boarding. Ideally, keep your cannabis in your carry-on and refrain from using it until you reach your destination.
  • Train (e.g., Amtrak): Amtrak bans cannabis entirely. If possible, carry only hemp-derived CBD (≤0.3% THC), and bring your medical card along when traveling with cannabis.
  • Rideshare (Uber, Lyft): Drivers may refuse service if they detect the presence of cannabis. Sealing products in smell-proof containers and keeping them packed out of sight can help reduce attention while traveling.
  • Taxi or Private Driver: Rules vary by company. Keeping cannabis sealed (ideally in a smell-proof container), discreet, and accompanied by documentation may help if law enforcement becomes involved.
  • RV or Camper Travel: Just like with car transportation, federal law still applies when crossing state borders. Securing a sealed, smell-proof container of medical marijuana in a cabinet and avoiding transport through non-reciprocal states when possible, may reduce legal risk.
  • Bicycle or Motorcycle: Storing MMJ in odor-proof containers in secure bike storage and carrying your medical card is ideal. Local laws can vary, especially when it comes to non-motorized travel.
  • Walking or Hiking Across State Lines: Even on foot, crossing state borders with cannabis remains federally illegal. Keeping products in their original packaging and avoiding walking into non-reciprocity states may reduce the risk of complications. Hemp-derived CBD may be a safer option in these cases.
  • Cruise Ships: Most cruise lines prohibit cannabis entirely due to federal and international law. While sometimes taking cannabis on a cruise is medically necessary, opting for legal alternatives like hemp-derived CBD may be a safer travel choice.
  • Ferries or Local Water Transport: Policies vary by state and ferry operator. In some legal states, traveling with sealed medical cannabis and supporting documents may be acceptable. Discretion and checking ahead with the ferry service can help clarify what’s allowed.

Can You Fly With Medical Marijuana in 2025?

Many patients understandably ask, “Can you fly with medical marijuana?” Unfortunately, the safest option may be to leave tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products behind when flying, as this could help avoid delays, fines, or the risk of confiscation.

Flying with medical marijuana in 2025 remains legally complicated. Even with a valid medical marijuana card, federal law still considers cannabis a Schedule I substance. Because airports and airplanes fall under federal jurisdiction, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not allow cannabis products. This includes flower, vapes, edibles, or tinctures—in carry-on or checked luggage.

TSA focuses on flight safety, not cannabis enforcement, and agents don’t typically search for marijuana. TSA is technically not a law enforcement agency, as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is, which makes international flying with cannabis always out of the question. Still, they must report it if found, which can lead to legal risks depending on the airport, state, or country (when flying internationally).

The good news is you can legally fly with federally legal cannabidiol (CBD) products that contain less than 0.3% THC.

Some airports also offer “amnesty boxes” to safely dispose of cannabis before security. It may be helpful to research the laws in your destination state and review medical marijuana reciprocity policies before traveling.

Common Questions

What are TSA rules for medical cannabis?
TSA and CBP ban cannabis even for medical use in carry-ons and checked bags, and agents must report the marijuana they find. You may fly domestically with hemp-derived CBD (≤0.3% THC), but not arrive internationally with it.

Can you bring edibles on a plane with a medical card?
No. Edibles contain THC and are federally illegal on flights. Bringing hemp-based alternatives or medicating before flying helps you stay compliant.

Can I Use My Medical Marijuana Card Anywhere in the US?
No. You can only purchase as a visiting patient in states that explicitly offer reciprocity (often with visitor registration). In many other places, adult-use sales to 21+ are the fallback.

Is Medical Marijuana Allowed in All 50 States?
No. Most states have medical programs, but rules differ—and a few only allow low-THC/high-CBD products. Always check the current program details where you’re going.

Does Airport Security Check for Marijuana?
TSA screening isn’t designed to look for cannabis, but if agents encounter it, they follow federal and local laws. Policies vary by airport and jurisdiction.

Can You Take Medical Marijuana Into the USA?
Bringing cannabis into the U.S. from another country is illegal, even if it’s lawful where you’re coming from.

Does Florida Allow Out-of-State Medical Marijuana?
Florida’s medical program has historically required Florida patient registration; it does not function as a broad reciprocity state. Adult-use sales are not currently available—confirm the latest rules before you visit.

Does California Allow Out-of-State Med Cards?
California does not run a classic reciprocity program for medical purchases, but adult-use is legal, so non-residents 21+ can buy at licensed retailers with a valid ID.

Can I travel with CBD?

When it comes to the ins and outs of cannabis legislation in the U.S., you’re likely aware that things are rarely simple. States range widely in their legalization status, and when you add in traveling, it gets even more complicated.

But what about CBD (cannabidiol)? Because CBD is a non-psychotropic part of cannabis, CBD products often have fewer purchase barriers and restrictions. Some CBD products are even sold in general stores and may be purchased without any kind of ID.

So, can you travel with CBD? Whether you want to use CBD oil or lotion on the plane or you’re visiting someone in another state and wondering if you can bring them a CBD gift, knowing the rules of traveling with CBD is crucial.

Taking CBD On Planes

We’ve all had the experience of going through TSA and being told that something in your bag has to be thrown out, whether it’s a liquid in a container that’s too large, a pair of scissors, or even batteries. You don’t want that to happen with your treasured (and possibly very expensive) CBD product.

The good news is that you can bring some CBD products on the plane with you. A 2018 bill made it legal to transport CBD products that are under 0.3% THC, so as long as your CBD product is under 0.3% THC, you shouldn’t run into any issues with TSA.

Remember that your CBD product should also be packed in a way that fits more broad TSA guidelines for luggage. That means that it should be:

  • under 3.4 fluid ounces (fl oz)
  • stored in a small, clear plastic bag
  • separate from other products

Lastly, although this is not listed by the TSA as a requirement, you might want to have your product’s COA available to show TSA if they ask about your CBD. This can make things smoother for both you and TSA workers. As long as you ensure that your product is under 0.3% and you pack it correctly, you can feel secure kicking back on a long flight with some CBD oil, or enjoying a CBD gummy while you travel.