Living with chronic or degenerative conditions can leave patients searching for alternatives when conventional treatments fall short. For many Canadians, medical cannabis has emerged as a legitimate and federally protected option for managing symptoms like pain, anxiety, and inflammation. But while access is legal, it’s still important to understand your rights and responsibilities, especially when travelling.

Some individuals, out of convenience or lack of awareness, consider sourcing cannabis outside the medical system. But doing so can lead to serious consequences. For example, if you’re caught travelling to your cottage or anywhere else within Canada with more than 30 grams of dried cannabis (or its equivalent) without valid medical documentation, you could face fines, arrest, seizure of your cannabis, and potentially a criminal record. That 30g limit applies under the Cannabis Act to recreational users, not to authorized medical patients.

Medical cannabis, on the other hand, falls under federal jurisdiction. Once prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and registered with Health Canada, patients are legally allowed to possess amounts beyond the recreational limit, grow more than four plants if authorized, and even travel with their medication, provided they carry proper documentation. Provincial governments cannot override these federally granted rights. In fact, courts have recently reaffirmed this, striking down provincial attempts to limit federally protected access, such as bans on personal cultivation.

At GrowLegally, we help patients understand and exercise their legal rights—from consultations and medical documents to securing a personal production licence and staying compliant when travelling. Whether you’re heading to the cottage or navigating daily life, we ensure your access to medical cannabis is safe, legal, and stress-free.

If you're ready to access medical cannabis with confidence, book your free consultation with GrowLegally today.

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