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FAQWork, Driving & Holidays
Common questions about medical cannabis medication at work, when driving, and on holidays.
Medical cannabis has been a legal treatment option in the UK since 1 November 2018. That said, employers still retain the authority to enforce their own drug policies. If your workplace has a strict no-drugs policy, you could face repercussions for pursuing a medical cannabis prescription, especially if it includes a cannabis-based medicinal product (CBMP) containing THC. THC is detectable in workplace drug tests.
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The Cannabis Industry Council (the UK's leading cannabis advocacy group) has put forward the following information and recommendations: UK medical cannabis patients are permitted to carry and use their medication and continue driving, provided that: - The patient is not impaired. - The cannabis medication has been prescribed to the patient, and they can provide evidence of this. - The patient adheres to the directions provided by their specialist consultant and follows the instructions given by the medication's manufacturer or distributor. The patient may have a statutory medical defence if they can provide sufficient evidence that they meet the criteria. This means patients should not be arrested and have a valid defence against charges of driving or controlling a vehicle with THC levels over 2ÎŒg/L in their blood. Following the guidelines on this page and in this leaflet, and asserting their statutory medical defence if stopped, can help registered patients avoid unnecessary blood tests, arrest, and prosecution. By adhering to the patient responsibilities below, patients can establish a defence against charges of driving or controlling a vehicle with THC levels over the legal limit. This can help in the event of them being arrested or prosecuted. Do not drive if you feel impaired - Driving while impaired by medication or any other cause is illegal. - All drivers, including patients, must assess their fitness to drive and consider potential impairments on any given occasion. - Avoid driving if you experience drowsiness, poor coordination, slow or impaired thinking, dizziness, or visual disturbances. - Do not drive when the risk of impairment may be elevated, such as when starting, increasing, or reducing the dose of your medication. - Exercise caution if you are taking other prescribed or over-the-counter medications that could impair your driving or interact with your medical cannabis prescription. - Be particularly careful if you have a medical condition that could heighten the side effects of your prescription (e.g., a serious illness with recent significant weight loss). - Be aware that alcohol combined with other impairing substances can greatly increase the risk of accidents. Note that the legal medical defence is invalid if a patient is impaired. Follow the advice of your prescribing specialist and the CBMP manufacturer - Follow the directions provided by your specialist consultant, including dosage instructions, usage with other medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter), and any potential impairments. - Additionally, read, understand, and follow all instructions from the medicine's manufacturer or distributor, provided they do not conflict with your specialist consultant's guidance. Carry Evidence - Ensure you carry the following up-to-date documentation in your vehicle: - A physical or digital copy of your most recent prescription - Photo ID (e.g., driver's license) - If possible, a physical or digital letter from your specialist confirming you are their patient - Your Releaf medical cannabis card give you easy access to all of the above - If you need to carry medication, it must be in its original packaging, as dispensed by the pharmacist, with a label displaying the prescription and your name What to do if the police stop you Stay calm, polite, and cooperative. You don't need to mention your prescribed cannabis medicine unless the police suspect you've used cannabis or are impaired. If the police suspect you have cannabis in your system, calmly inform them that you are legally prescribed cannabis medicine, that you have a medical defence to exceed the limit, and present your documentation. The police are legally obligated to investigate your medical defence. If the police request a roadside swab to detect THC, inform them that you are legally prescribed a cannabis medicine and legally permitted to possess it. Remind them that preliminary tests are designed to identify the presence of illicit, not legal, controlled drugs. - You might want to share the Guidance for Police. When the authorities scan the QR code on your Releaf medical cannabis card, they will be redirected to this page. - If the police persist in requesting a roadside swab, it may be best to comply, remain calm, and follow their instructions. - Should the police ask for an impairment test, you should comply, as refusing could result in a separate criminal offence. - If you are arrested and brought to a police station for an interview under caution, do not say anything until you have a lawyer by your side. Ensure the lawyer is fully informed of your medical defence and its foundation.
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No, there is no legal requirement for you to disclose your patient status to a hotel or any other place of accommodation.
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That depends on where you plan to travel. You are allowed to travel with your prescribed medical cannabis within the UK. Some countries will allow you to enter with a valid prescription, while others may not recognise medical cannabis as a legal treatment option. It is important to research the local laws and regulations of your destination country before travelling with your prescription. If you do decide to travel with your prescribed medical cannabis, you should first request a travel letter from Releaf. This letter will detail your medical condition and the necessity for you to carry your medication with you. For all travel letter requests, login into your Patient Portal, click on the 'Personal' tab, click the 'View Travelling Info' button, add your travel details into the travel certificate application form. Once this is completed, you have two options: - The first is to click the âRequest Printed Certificateâ button. Please allow 2 to 5 days for delivery if you choose this option. - The second option is to instantly download your travel certificate, which you can then print - just click the âDigital Downloadâ button, then select which folder you would like to save your downloaded travel certificate. For a full rundown with images showing every step, head to our How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis blog Always keep your prescribed medical cannabis in its original packaging which displays both your name and the prescription itself. You should also carry a physical copy of your prescription, your Releaf medical cannabis card, and the travel letter.
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For all travel letter requests, login into your Patient Dashboard, click on the 'Personal' tab, click the 'View Travelling Info' button, add your travel details into the travel certificate application form. Once this is completed, you have two options: - The first is to click the âRequest Printed Certificateâ button. Please allow 2 to 5 days for delivery if you choose this option. - The second option is to instantly download your travel certificate, which you can then print - just click the âDigital Downloadâ button, then select which folder you would like to save your downloaded travel certificate. For a full rundown with images showing every step, head to our How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis blog
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That depends on where you are planning to travel. Some countries allow UK medical cannabis patients to enter with their prescriptions, while others do not. It is always best to research the local laws and regulations of your destination before travelling. If you are travelling to a country that allows medical cannabis, Releaf can provide a travel letter confirming your medical cannabis treatment, which can help provide a smoother journey through customs. For all travel letter requests, log in into your Patient Dashboard, click on the 'Personal' tab, click the 'View Travelling Info' button, add your travel details into the travel certificate application form. Once this is completed, you have two options: - The first is to click the âRequest Printed Certificateâ button. Please allow 2 to 5 days for delivery if you choose this option. - The second option is to instantly download your travel certificate, which you can then print - just click the âDigital Downloadâ button, then select which folder you would like to save your downloaded travel certificate. For a full rundown with images showing every step, head to our How to request a travel certificate for medical cannabis blog
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