Travelling along with cannabis

Dr Sona A Pungavkar
The times are changing for the illicit miracle plant, Cannabis, which now is finding the doors opening for various uses, particularly as a medicine. As the legal status is different in different countries and patients on treatment may end up travelling from one state to another, one country to another or across continents, there needs to be clarity and an international consensus, as to the allowance and the requirements, particularly the documentation. The consumers need enough knowledge to be able to consume medicinal cannabis legally and to travel safely.
Based on some surveys, about one in seven adults in the west use cannabis in a given year, though these people do not accept the same. This is due to the stigma associated with the use of Cannabis. Hence, there has to be a sensitive way in which this information has to be handled by the various authorities involved, including at the hospitals, airports for domestic and international travellers.
Although, most medicinal preparations of Cannabis contain low levels of THC, the blood could test positive for THC, which may be confusing for the lawkeepers and may lead to false implication of the individual under treatment in an area of jurisdiction which does not permit the use of medicinal Cannabis.
In a state, which has legalized use of Cannabis, the law may let passengers carrying marijuana to fly to another destination within or outside the state without having to dispose of the substance. In some cases, the officer may allow a patient to pass through security with a little bit of Cannabis. In other states, for the same act, there may be imprisonment.
There is confusion regarding the use of Cannabis in airports in US, for users, even though they would be above 21 years of age, as the regulations vary in different states and the airports are under the federal law, which has  still not legalized the use of Cannabis. In November 2019, the Judiciary Committee approved a bill that legalizes marijuana on the federal level. Hence, it now stands removed from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.
NORML, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, has called the approval as the “biggest marijuana news of the year.”
As India looks forward to the impending legalization,  a problem for the participating Indian states, extends a step further. The native strains may contain a higher content of THC inherently and it may be the synergy of the entire strain which may be having the “beneficial “ or “therapeutic” effect seen in responders.  This may create an issue for Indian travellers going abroad with their medicines. It will require special certificates from the treating physicians. In India, legalization attempts are happening in Uttarkhand and Madhya Pradesh, though there is lack of clarity on the same.
The companies taking the first steps into the controversial industry need to be understood and protected. Also, the government and judiciary system needs to work closely with these companies and medical personnel treating the patients, to set up the systems so as to decrease the confusion and aid the people looking for jobs in the industry, using the medicines as well those involved in maintaining the law around Cannabis. This will include the various departments involved in cultivation, storage, transporting, processing, formulating and  marketing.  There is a long way as this immensely opportunity opens up for India.
The author is a Cannabis researcher, a senior radiologist and Vice President, Cannabis Health and Sciences.