As long as your patient has a valid, legal prescription for medicinal cannabis, they are entitled to carry their medication between all states and territories within Australia. If your patient is planning on travelling within the country, there are some things you can remind them of to ensure they carry their medications safely and responsibly.
In this article, we’ll shed light on some of the most important things your patients should consider before travelling in Australia.
Can your patient travel interstate with medicinal cannabis in Australia?
If your patient has received a legal prescription for medicinal cannabis from you or another qualified doctor or healthcare practitioner, they are legally allowed to travel with their prescribed medications between all states and territories within Australia.
This includes all legally prescribed medicinal cannabis formats, including:
- Oils
- Flowers
- Tablets
- Wafers
We recommend encouraging your patients to keep their medication in the original packaging with the pharmacy label attached whenever they are planning on travelling with their medicine. Your patients should also carry a valid photo ID that matches the name on the label of their medication for identification purposes.
If you know your patient has upcoming travel plans within Australia, you can also provide them with a proof of prescription letter for them to carry during their domestic travels.
Can medicinal cannabis patients fly with their medication in Australia?
Yes, your patients are allowed to carry their medicinal cannabis treatments onboard when flying between states in Australia, as long as they have a valid prescription. Before travelling, medicinal cannabis patients should ensure that their medication is in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached.
Remind your patient of the importance of bringing any relevant scripts and photo ID to support the fact that they are carrying these treatments legally.
It is not uncommon to encounter sniffer dogs or law enforcement at the airport, especially for people who may be travelling with dried cannabis flower. As long as your patient is carrying their medication in its original packaging and photo ID that matches the name on the label of the medication, they are permitted to travel with their treatments.
Can medicinal cannabis be packed in carry-on luggage or does it need to be checked on domestic flights?
There are no specific guidelines as to whether patients should carry their medication with them onto the cabin or put it in their checked luggage. Some patients may prefer to keep their medications handy in their carry-on baggage in case they need to take them at the airport or during their flight, or if they’re worried about their luggage going missing.
Other patients may be comfortable having their medications in their checked luggage. Either way, patients carrying medicinal cannabis (even with a valid prescription) still run the risk of being stopped or having their baggage searched, so always encourage your patients to carry documentation that supports their legal patient status.
There are airline restrictions for travelling with personal vaporisers. Most airlines require these devices to be in a patient’s carry-on baggage and prohibit their use and charging during the flight.
If a patient under your care is planning on travelling with a personal vaporiser, encourage them to check with their airline prior to flying to find out if they have any specific rules or regulations for travelling with personal vaporisers.
Is it legal for patients to travel and/or fly with their vape in Australia?
Legally, your patients are allowed to carry anything that has been prescribed by their doctor for the treatment of their medical condition. While vapes aren’t prescribed, if you have recommended or authorised one for use with your patient’s medication, they are allowed to travel with one.
When it comes to flying with a vape, airlines will have specific rules and guidelines around what patients can and can’t do. Most airlines require personal vaporiser devices to be in a person’s carry-on baggage and prohibit their use and charging during the flight. Encourage any travelling patients to check with their airline prior to flying out to find out what their rules are for travelling with personal vaporisers.
If prescribing a medicinal cannabis patient with a flower for vaporisation, we recommend they use one of the devices listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). As of 2025, the two ARTG-listed devices are the Volcano MEDIC 2 (desktop) and the Mighty+ MEDIC (portable), both manufactured by Storz & Bickel. Clinicians should verify current listings via the TGA website, as registrations are subject to change.
Can medicinal cannabis patients consume their medication while they travel in Australia?
If your patient is consuming a form of medication that does not need to be vaporised, such as an oil, topical, or wafer tablet, then they can take their medication just as they would any other medication.
If your patient plans to vape their medication in a public smoking area, they should be cautious to ensure that no one else could inhale their medication vapour by being in proximity to them. As the medication is prescribed for the patient and only the patient, they need to ensure that it is not affecting anyone around them by only vaping in non-crowded public smoking areas, or in private.
Driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients vary by state and territory and are subject to ongoing reform. Patients travelling by car should be directed to current jurisdiction-specific guidance — refer to the Medicinal Cannabis and Driving article for a current state-by-state overview.
How should medicinal cannabis be stored while travelling in Australia?
While travelling, it’s always best to keep medicinal cannabis treatments in their original packaging with the pharmacy label attached. This will ensure that if your patient is stopped or has their baggage checked, they can verify their patient status by matching their photo ID to the patient name on the pharmacy label and the medication names listed on the prescription can be aligned with those on the packaging.
As much as possible, patients should try to maintain the quality and efficacy of their medication by storing it correctly while they travel. For cannabis flower medications, that means minimising exposure to heat, light and air. For all other medication types, that simply means following the storage guidelines on the medication label.
Can patients travel with medical cannabis internationally?
International travel with medicinal cannabis carries significant legal risk. Cannabis remains a controlled or prohibited substance in many jurisdictions, and a valid Australian prescription provides no legal protection in foreign countries. This applies to transit countries as well as the final destination — a patient passing through an airport in a country where cannabis is prohibited may face serious legal consequences even if they do not leave the airport.
Before leaving Australia, patients should be strongly advised to contact the Embassy or Consulate of every country they intend to visit or transit through to confirm the legal status of their medication and any documentation requirements for customs clearance. Some countries prohibit medicinal cannabis entirely, and patients should seek legal advice before attempting to travel internationally with their medication.
Travelling with medicinal cannabis in Australia checklist
The main thing your patients should keep in mind while travelling around Australia with their medicinal cannabis treatment include:
- Ensuring they have access to a copy of their script that outlines their list of approved medications
- Carrying current, valid photo ID that matches the information on medication labels and scripts
- Keeping medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached
- Pay attention to the restrictions on certain treatment formats or delivery methods, such as vaping in crowded, public areas
- Be aware that driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients vary by state and territory and are subject to ongoing reform — check current restrictions in your jurisdiction before driving
Clinical Summary
Patients with a legal prescription for medicinal cannabis in Australia can travel with their medication between all states and territories, including oils, flowers, tablets, and wafers. It is recommended that they keep their medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label attached and carry a valid photo ID that matches the name on the medication label.
There are no specific guidelines on whether the medication should be in carry-on or checked luggage. Patients should check airline regulations regarding personal vaporisers before flying. Where dried flower is prescribed, clinicians may wish to recommend an ARTG-listed device — currently the Volcano MEDIC 2 (desktop) or the Mighty+ MEDIC (portable).
While consuming non-vaporised forms of medication is permitted as with any other medication, patients should avoid vaping in crowded public areas. Driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients vary by state and territory and are subject to ongoing reform — refer to the Medicinal Cannabis and Driving article for current guidance.
International travel with medicinal cannabis carries significant legal risk. A valid Australian prescription provides no legal protection overseas, including in transit countries. Patients should be strongly advised to seek legal advice and contact the relevant embassies or consulates before travelling internationally with their medication.
