Alcohol and Recreational Drugs

	Since the Government of Canada has authorized me to use marijuana for medical purposes, may I take a small personal supply with me when travelling abroad?
	Why shouldn’t I use recreational drugs while travelling abroad, even in countries where they are readily available?
	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: Since the Government of Canada has authorized me to use marijuana for medical purposes, may I take a small personal supply with me when travelling abroad?

A: No. As an individual authorized under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations to possess or produce marijuana for medical purposes in Canada, you are not allowed to carry marijuana when you enter or leave Canada. You are also not allowed to import into Canada or export from Canada marijuana seeds or dried marijuana. Canadians are subject to the laws and judicial systems of the country in which they are travelling. See Health Canada’s website for more information on the Medical Use of Marihuana.

Q: Why shouldn’t I use recreational drugs while travelling abroad, even in countries where they are readily available?

A: While recreational drugs may be readily available in some countries, their purchase, consumption, import, and export are prohibited almost everywhere. Buying and using drugs, even in countries where such practices are common, can lead to criminal charges, arrest, and imprisonment. Local authorities often mount "sting" operations against foreigners. If you break the law in another country, you are subject to that country’s judicial system. So 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)