In Argentina, the safest way to travel with weed is to do it legally: the country allows controlled cultivation of the cannabis plant for medical, therapeutic and/or palliative purposes, created through Decree 883/20, which regulates Law No. 27,350 (Argentina's Medical Use of the Cannabis Plant law). Thanks to this, anyone enrolled in REPROCANN — Argentina's medical cannabis registry — can grow their own marijuana and, more importantly here, legally carry up to 40 g (about 1.4 oz) of dried flower anywhere in the country. Everywhere else, the golden rules are simple: carry little, pack it smell-proof and know the local law before you move. 

But even if you live in a state or country that has legalized medical or recreational weed, there's a good chance the place you're traveling to isn't quite as progressive. We hope penalties for marijuana possession disappear worldwide, but in the meantime there are a few things to keep in mind when you want to move cannabis from point A to point B without picking up a massive fine — or ending up in jail.

Countries where marijuana is legal

Weed is still a hot topic in plenty of countries. Here's a list of the places that have legalized this ancient plant:

• Uruguay: legalized weed in December 2013, under President Pepe Mujica, who put production, distribution and sale of marijuana in the hands of the state.
• Canada: the second country in the world, after Uruguay, where recreational marijuana use is legal. Legal weed was a campaign promise of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• Jamaica: here marijuana carries deep cultural and religious significance. In 2015 a legal amendment authorized consumption and cultivation of small amounts for research, medical or religious purposes.
• South Africa: In 2018 the law banning adults from consuming flower and buds at home was struck down, although use in public spaces remains prohibited.
• The Netherlands: ​one of the first countries where marijuana is legal for recreational use. Sales are capped at 5 grams per person, and coffee shops can't keep more than 500 grams of marijuana in stock.
• Other European countries:  recreational use of small amounts is decriminalized or legally tolerated in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany and the Czech Republic.
• Mexico: ​only up to five grams of marijuana for personal use are allowed.
• Chile: Growing is prohibited, but consuming small amounts is not.
• United States: many states allow medical marijuana, and in nine it can be legally sold and consumed for recreational use.
• Israel: Therapeutic use of cannabis derivatives has been legal since the 1990s. Recreational use and home growing are not permitted.

Traveling with weed doesn't have to be complicated. One of the best tips when transporting cannabis is attitude. Unless you're heading to a country that punishes possession with death, the penalties for a bud or two are mild in most of the world. At the end of the day, it's just a bit of weed.

Can you bring weed on a plane?

For a long time, people in Argentina wondered how to fly with marijuana. The answer came in 2020 when, thanks to the regulation of Medical Cannabis Law 27,350 and the launch of the Cannabis Program Registry (REPROCANN), both individuals and NGOs were authorized to home-grow, grow in solidarity or grow in networks for medical or therapeutic purposes. But flying with weed isn't the only thing it allows.

The permit obtained by enrolling in REPROCANN guarantees the right of people who use cannabis to grow it or obtain it from third parties legally. In short, the whole point of REPROCANN is to provide an authorization that shields registered users from the criminal consequences of Argentina's existing drug law.

But does it actually tell us how to transport marijuana? It does: once registered with REPROCANN, you can carry up to 40 grams of dried flower or six 30-milliliter dropper bottles, to guarantee continuity of treatment. That makes it possible to take weed on a plane, joints on a ferry, or cannabis on any form of public or private transport — including your own car — within Argentina.

The key to traveling with weed is simple: don't get greedy. If you're allowed 40 g, the smart move is to travel with exactly that. And if you're heading to another country, travel light. Packing one small jar of cannabis won't raise many eyebrows, but hauling several grams across borders almost guarantees an arrest. Settle for slipping through a couple of joints. 

Can you fly with a personal stash?

REPROCANN registration allows transport of up to 40 grams of dried flower and six 30-milliliter dropper bottles within Argentina. Devices like vaporizers or vape pens may be subject to airline rules for electronic items and cannot be used for the duration of the flight.

Cannabis oil taken orally can be used without any issue.

How to bring weed on a plane:

If you're flying, the best place to stash your cannabis is your carry-on. Checked luggage can be searched at random. Airport agents are generally hunting for far more dangerous things in carry-ons (like bombs, hazardous liquids or weapons) than a little weed.

How do you transport weed without the smell?

Learning how to fly with marijuana might seem hard, but it really depends on the format of cannabis you're carrying. So here's how to hide your weed and take it wherever you're headed:

• Joints: Stashing them in a cigarette pack alongside regular cigarettes is ideal.

• Buds or dried flower: They can hide inside a pill bottle, under the cotton and the pills. 

• Edibles: the easiest to transport. Gummies can ride in a candy bag like any other.

• Wax and oil: you can also tuck them into cosmetic containers, like small bottles or cream jars. Just make sure any liquids stay under 85 ml.

Getting marijuana through airport security is much easier than it looks. There are stories of travelers who forgot they were carrying weed and somehow breezed straight through airport security without even trying to hide it.

What happens if they find a joint at the airport?

If you get caught, the worst that usually happens is security making you toss your weed in the trash. While carrying a bud isn't exactly dangerous goods, there's a chance the police get involved — and even that you miss your flight. Of course, this depends on where you're traveling, so the most important thing is to read the local laws before risking even a single joint. 

What drugs do airport scanners detect?

Here's the thing about airport scanners: they're looking for very specific contraband — weapons, bomb-making materials and excessive liquids that could be liquid explosives. They are not looking for drugs. There's no way scanners can detect and identify every individual item in your bag.

The strangest part of traveling with cannabis is that it's easier to move it by plane than by car. If you're road-tripping and want some cannabis with you, your best bet is vaporizers or edibles. Something low-odor that won't give you away. These days you can find cannabis almost anywhere, so you can always hold out for a while and pick some up once you reach your destination.