Marijuana laws are always changing. The states are free to set their own laws, with some choosing to make it completely illegal, others allowing medical use, and still others allowing both medicinal and recreational use. The most recent trend has been for more and more states to make it recreationally legal, as long as it is bought and sold in a controlled manner.
So, imagine that you’re going to visit family in another state where it is fully legal, such as Michigan or Oregon. You already legally own marijuana, and you want to be able to use it while you’re there. Can you bring it with you?
Federal legalization has not yet happened
It may seem counter-intuitive, but you actually cannot legally bring it with you. The states prohibit the transfer of marijuana over state lines (even when it’s legal in both states), and marijuana is still illegal federally. Whenever you cross state lines, you violate these federal laws. That means that you could face charges, even if you purchased the marijuana products legally and you are heading to another state where it is also completely legal.
Additionally, flying with marijuana products is illegal. If they are discovered in your luggage when you try to go through the airport, you could also see legal ramifications. At best, they’ll be confiscated, but you could also be arrested and charged. The fact that you’re flying to a state where the products are legal does not change this.
If you are looking at charges for the illegal transportation of marijuana, especially if you just made an honest mistake, you need to know about all of the legal defense options you have.