Alcohol and Recreational Drugs

	The Government of Canada has authorized me to use marijuana for medical reasons. May I take a small personal supply with me when I travel abroad?
	Why do you recommend that Canadians not use recreational drugs while abroad, even though they are readily available and used in some countries?
	Is it true that in Peru it is legal to use cocaine and other coca plant products above a certain altitude in the Andes?
	May I bring my own supply of alcohol when travelling?

Q: The Government of Canada has authorized me to use marijuana for medical reasons. May I take a small personal supply with me when I travel abroad?

A: Importing or using marijuana is illegal in all countries. The Government of Canada does not and cannot authorize Canadians to use marijuana for medical purposes in other countries. Canadians are subject to the laws and judicial systems of the country in which they are travelling.

Q: Why do you recommend that Canadians not use recreational drugs while abroad, even though they are readily available and used in some countries?

A: Although these drugs may be readily available in some countries, their purchase, consumption, import and export are prohibited virtually everywhere. Buying or using such drugs, even if it's a common practice in a particular place, can lead to criminal charges, arrest and imprisonment. Local authorities often mount "sting" operations against foreigners. Do not agree to transport, hold, buy or use illegal drugs under any circumstances.

Q: Is it true that in Peru it is legal to use cocaine and other coca plant products above a certain altitude in the Andes?

A: At altitudes of over 3,800 metres, native Peruvians are permitted to chew coca leaves in accordance with their ancestral traditions. Otherwise the use of cocaine and all other drugs is illegal in Peru.

Q: May I bring my own supply of alcohol when travelling?

A: In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the importation, possession and use of alcohol is strictly forbidden. To determine whether alcohol is permitted in the country you'll be visiting, contact the country’s embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel.

Related Links
	Drugs and Travel section
	Drugs and Travel: Why They Don’t Mix (Publication)