Marijuana Unfriendly
It’s Caribbean vacation time! Pack the swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip-flops. But, as you get ready to head to St. Somewhere, you’ll need to leave your medical marijuana behind. CannaMD has already covered what patients should know about flying with medical marijuana, and now we’re taking the conversation offshore.
The good news? Some Caribbean destinations offer legal ways for visiting patients to access medical marijuana after they arrive.
The not-so-good news? Laws vary widely, and many islands remain marijuana unfriendly.
Here’s a quick rundown of what patients should know before taking off or setting sail.
Can You Fly To The Caribbean With Medical Marijuana?
While some islands are marijuana friendly – or at least tolerant though decriminalization – you cannot bring cannabis products on an airplane. As mentioned, CannaMD has reported on this subject, and will continue to provide updates as regulations evolve.
Can You Bring Medical Marijuana On A Caribbean Cruise Ship?
The short answer is: No.
Not even if you live in a state where cannabis is legal, have a valid medical marijuana card and are visiting places where it is decriminalized or legal. Like most barriers to carrying medical marijuana while traveling to or from the United States, the reasons are the differences between state and federal laws.
Cruise ships sailing from US ports into international waters are governed by the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, which mandates a strict zero tolerance policy on cannabis, with no exceptions for any form of medical marijuana or CBD products. This law is actively enforced at cruise ship terminals by security contractors using screen measures that include baggage scanners and drug-sniffing dogs.
Passengers attempting to bring marijuana aboard will be denied boarding, and security officers often contact local law enforcement or Customs and Border Protection officers, which could result in an arrest and jail time or fines. Penalties are equally strict while aboard the ship. Passengers caught with marijuana are kicked off at the next port of call, their fare is not refunded and they will be permanently banned by the cruise line.
Where Can You Get Medical Marijuana in the Caribbean?
While you can’t legally bring medical marijuana with you on a Caribbean vacation, it’s now possible to purchase medical marijuana once you arrive at the destination. It’s not the case for every island, and the requirements for qualifying purchases range from easy to complicated. Here’s a quick rundown on the Caribbean destinations where cannabis medications may be available.
U.S. Virgin Islands
This United States territory is the only place in the Caribbean where recreational marijuana is fully legal. Anyone over the age of 21 can legally possess up to 2 ounces of flower, 1 ounce of edibles, and 14g of concentrate. Buying it is another matter, as the dispensary network for retail sales is still in the works, with the first outlets expected to open in late 2026.
Jamaica
On the island that gave the world the Rasta spliff, marijuana is decriminalized and fully legal for religious or medical use, allowing for possession of up to two ounces of cannabis. To facilitate access, Jamaica has established a dispensary reciprocity program that recognizes valid medical cards from US state medical marijuana programs. Patients are issued a temporary card for use while on the island.
No card, or an expired card? Not a problem, as dispensaries may provide on site or telehealth physician services for fast qualification.
One caution: according to Jamaican law, therapeutic cannabis can be consumed at licensed herb houses or in private residences, but not on public streets or at the beach.
Puerto Rico
Medical marijuana has been legal on the Island of Enchantment for nearly a decade. Thanks to a broad reciprocity program, it’s readily available to anyone with a US state-issued medical marijuana card, but with a few restrictions.
Cards from US state programs allow patients daily purchases of up to 8 grams of THC in concentrate or edible forms. Anyone who prefers smoked flower over vapes or edibles will need to go through a couple of extra steps to get a temporary Puerto Rico tourist/visitor cannabis license. This is a straightforward process that invokes filling out a brief health history form and a virtual or in-person consultation with a local cannabis physician. Qualifying patients can then purchase up to an ounce of flower.
Islands The Issue Temporary Medical Marijuana Cards
Antigua and Barbuda
This two-island nation allows visitors with a valid US state medical marijuana card to obtain a temporary local patient permit. Permits are available without a wait by simply paying a small fee at one of the island’s licensed dispensaries.
Barbados
Medical marijuana cards from US states are not recognized at island dispensaries, but products can be purchased by anyone holding a valid certification from a doctor licensed by the Barbados Medical Council. To get a prescription, visitors can schedule an assessment with an on-site doctor at a licensed dispensary.
St. Kitts and Nevis
Visitors can register for a visiting patient identification card to legally purchase and possess medical cannabis. The process requires patients to present a valid medical marijuana certification or doctor’s recommendation from their home state. This documentation is reviewed at the St. Kitts Medical Cannabis Authority or a qualified local doctor. If all is in order, a temporary card is issued.
Mexican Caribbean
Visitors can get limited types of medical marijuana when vacationing in Cancun or Cozumel. Purchases must be made at state-approved pharmacies with a certification from a qualifying Mexican physician. Available products include oils, tinctures, edibles and creams, all of which have a 1 percent cap on THC content. A majority of resorts do not allow any cannabis products on the premises.
Cayman Islands
Medical marijuana is available in the Cayman Islands, but it is highly regulated and available in limited forms such as CBD/THC oils, oral drops, capsules, and vape cartridges. Cannabis flower remains illegal for all users. Visitors must obtain a certification from a Cayman-licensed doctor to purchase products.
Islands Where Cannabis Is Illegal
Despite the region’s laid-back vacation vibes, there are still quite a few destinations in the Caribbean where marijuana is decriminalized but still not legal, or illegal to the point of fines and jail time. Here’s a quick rundown of the islands: Possession of relatively small amounts of marijuana is now decriminalized or “less illegal” in Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Grenada.
Getting caught with marijuana or other cannabis products can result in serious penalties in several Caribbean destinations. These include the Bay Islands of Honduras; the French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Saint-Martin; the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and St. Eustatius; the British Virgin Islands; Haiti; and the Dominican Republic.
Do You Have Questions About Medical Marijuana?
CannaMD‘s state-certified network of medical marijuana doctors is available to provide advice and assistance with your medical marijuana questions and needs. Contact CannaMD‘s experienced team at (855) 420-9170 today. Ready to get your card and purchase legal cannabis products? You can find out if you qualify for medical marijuana treatment with our quick online application.
