Advocacy
Travelling With Medical Cannabis: A Guide for UK Patients
We asked an expert what patients should know before jetting off this summer.
There’s a lot of uncertainty when it comes to travelling abroad with a medical cannabis prescription – we asked an expert what patients should know before jetting off this summer.
Whether you’re planning a holiday or visiting family and friends overseas, travelling can involve extra questions when you rely on prescribed medical cannabis – can you take your medicine with you?
The fact is there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the country you are wishing to travel to – and at this stage, it’s up to you to do your research in advance.
Where is medical cannabis legal?
A country allowing medical cannabis does not necessarily mean visitors can bring their own prescription. UK government guidance recommends checking the destination’s rules with its embassy before travelling.
What the experts say
Speaking to Cannabis Health in 2022, Abby Hughes, then chair of patient advocacy organisation PLEA, shared her advice for patients travelling with their prescription.
“As with any medication, guidance around travelling abroad with a prescription varies greatly depending on the country a person wishes to enter. There may be specific rules on travelling with controlled drugs.
“Unfortunately some countries make no distinction between recreational and medicinal use of cannabis, with some places issuing severely harsh penalties if a person is found in possession, even with a prescription.
“For up-to-date information, it is recommended that contact is made with the relevant country’s embassy* to clarify the rules before travelling. Some countries require a letter of proof from a clinician, some require a request to be submitted to the embassy requesting to travel, some restrict the amount of medication you are able to travel with, i.e. up to 30 days supply. It is suggested that any guidance is sought and confirmed in writing.
“Where a country requires a letter of proof to be shown at the border, this should be issued from the prescribing clinician.
The letter should generally include:
– traveller’s name and date of birth
– countries being entered and length of stay
– a list of medicine, including how much is being transported, doses and strength
– signature of the prescribing clinician.
“Once confirmed that it is permitted to enter a country with prescribed cannabis, it is advised that travellers keep medication on their person, stored in its original packaging along with a copy of their issued prescription and relevant corresponding paperwork.
“It may be wise to keep an electronic copy of any paperwork both on a phone and via email, and to have the prescribing clinicians phone number and other contact information handy.
“If there is any uncertainty, or if a person travels with medication without checking the legalities and finds themselves in trouble, advise and support can be sought from Release.”
Do Different Countries Have Different Rules?
Medical cannabis being legal in a country does not necessarily mean visitors can bring their own prescription. These examples show why the exact medicine and journey need checking.
| Destination | What patients need to know |
|---|---|
| Turkey | General customs guidance allows reasonable quantities of certain medicines for personal treatment with supporting documents. It does not specifically confirm permission for prescribed cannabis. Check your exact product with the Turkish authorities before travelling. Turkish customs guidance |
| Netherlands | Medicinal cannabis requires a certificate. The certificate and any authentication requirements depend on where you are travelling from. Carry the medicine in its original packaging. Dutch government guidance |
| Canada | A prescription alone does not authorise taking cannabis across the border. Most medical cannabis requires an individual Health Canada exemption, issued only in rare circumstances. Separate rules apply to approved cannabis-containing prescription medicines. Canadian government guidance |
What Documents Do You Need?
GOV.UK says travellers taking controlled medicines out of the UK need proof that the medicine belongs to them, such as a prescription or doctor’s letter.
Destination countries may require additional permission or certification. Ask what documents are needed and what information they must contain, including the medicine’s formulation, dose and quantity.
Keep the medicine in its original pharmacy packaging with the dispensing label. Carry the documents required for your journey and retain written correspondence confirming any permissions.
For journeys within the UK, read our guide to medical cannabis and driving, including what to do if stopped by police.
Should You Contact Your Airline Before Travelling?
Even with paperwork in place, some patients have experienced difficulties on flights.
In January 2025, Cannabis Health reported that Jet2 had apologised to a patient whose prescribed cannabis was confiscated before a flight from Belfast to Turkey. He had carried prescription documents and a letter from his doctor.
A British Airways flight to Amsterdam was also delayed in June 2024 after staff raised concerns about patients carrying prescribed cannabis.
These experiences underline why it is useful to contact the operating airline in advance, explain what medicine you are carrying and ask for written confirmation of its requirements.
Storage is another point to clarify. Jet2’s terms say medication needed during a holiday should travel in the cabin. British Airways recommends keeping essential medication in the smaller under-seat bag, as larger cabin bags may be placed in the hold.
An airline’s agreement to carry your medicine does not replace permission to bring it into your destination or any transit country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UK Prescription Enough to Take Medical Cannabis Abroad?
No. A UK prescription demonstrates that the medicine was prescribed for you, but another country may require additional permission or prohibit its import.
Can You Take Medical Cannabis to Turkey?
Do not assume that Turkey’s general rules for personal medicines cover your cannabis product. Confirm the exact formulation and required documents with the Turkish authorities before travelling.
Should Medical Cannabis Go in Hand Luggage?
UK government guidance says medicines containing controlled drugs must be carried in hand luggage when entering or leaving the UK. Check storage arrangements with the airline before departure.
Do You Need to Check Stopover Countries?
Yes. Check transit-country requirements as well as those of your final destination, including where you will remain inside an airport.
Is Travelling With Medicine Permission to Use It on the Plane?
No. Permission to carry medicine does not establish permission to administer it on board. Discuss your treatment needs with your prescriber and check the airline’s rules before travelling.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
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