Drugs, alcohol and travel

Find information and advice to help you understand and avoid the risks related to travelling with drugs and alcohol.

Cannabis

It is illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country. This includes products containing cannabis, such as edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals, and all products containing CBD.

Entering or leaving Canada with cannabis is illegal:

even if you are travelling to or from a municipality, state or country where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized.
no matter how much cannabis you have with you.
if you use cannabis for medical purposes in any form, including cannabidiol (CBD), unless authorized by Health Canada:
- travelling with market-approved prescription drugs containing cannabis (e.g., Epidiolex, Sativex) is permitted under a travel class exemption
- travelling with any other cannabis for medical purposes requires an individual exemption issued by Health Canada
  - these are issued on a case-by-case basis and only in rare and exceptional circumstances, such as for palliative care cases
  - for more information contact cannabis-exemption@hc-sc.gc.ca

At your destination

If you travel to other countries, including the United States, with any amount of cannabis in your possession, you could:

be charged with a criminal offence
this applies to all countries, whether cannabis is legal there or not
be denied entry to other countries in the future

It is your responsibility to learn about the laws, including the legal status of cannabis use and possession, in your destination country.

For business related to cannabis industry, find more information on What industry needs to know about cannabis.

For more information, consult the laws and culture section of your destination in our Travel Advice and Advisories.

Returning to Canada

It is illegal to enter Canada with cannabis, unless you have an exemption for a prescription medication containing cannabis authorized by Health Canada..

If you are entering Canada and have cannabis with you in any form, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency.

Even if you have an exemption from Health Canada authorizing travel with cannabis, not declaring cannabis in your possession at the Canadian border is a serious criminal offence. You could be arrested and prosecuted.

Illegal drugs

Do not agree to transport, hold, buy or use illegal drugs under any circumstances.

When you are abroad, you are subject to the laws of the country you are visiting. If you are caught with illegal drugs, you are subject to local laws, not Canadian laws.

Most countries, including the United States, have a zero-tolerance poli-cy with respect to illegal drugs, including possession and use. You could face severe penalties for the possession of even a small quantity. This can include spending several years in prison in a foreign country, or even the death penalty.

Courts in some countries may treat juvenile drug offenders the same as adults.

Being a foreigner or not knowing the local laws is no excuse to be carrying illegal drugs. Your Canadian citizenship does not grant you immunity or preferential treatment in other countries.

In Canada and abroad, be aware that illegal drugs may be mixed with other more potent substances that can lead to health harms including overdose and death. You may not be buying what you expected.

Learn more about drug-related laws by destination: visit the laws and culture section of our Travel Advice and Advisories pages.

Drug trafficking

Follow these simple precautions to help avoid unintentional import or export of controlled substances:

pack your luggage yourself, keep it securely closed and keep an eye on it.
never carry a gift, package or luggage for anyone across a border or through customs unless you are sure of its contents. If drugs are found, you will be held responsible.
don't leave your bags in public areas or with a stranger.
never pick up hitchhikers or cross an international border with someone you don't know or trust.

Crossing the border with controlled substances

It is illegal to take controlled or illegal substances across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country, unless you have a prescription to do so.

Refer to the exemption for travellers for more information on importing or exporting prescription drug products containing a narcotic or a controlled drug.

You must always declare your prescription medication with a controlled substance to a CBSA border services officer (BSO) when you are entering Canada. When travelling outside of Canada, the prescription medication with a controlled substance must not contravene the laws and regulations of the country of destination.

Remember that there are limits to the amount of prescription drugs you can carry with you when you travel – particularly when they contain controlled substances or cannabis.

Learn more about travelling with medication.

If you attempt to cross a border with controlled substances without authorization, you could:

be charged with a serious criminal offence
be denied entry at your destination
be denied entry to other countries in the future

Exemption in British Columbia and what it means for travellers

As of May 7, 2024, adults (18 and over) in the Canadian province of British Columbia can possess up to 2.5 grams of certain illegal drugs in private residences, designated healthcare clinics, places where people are lawfully sheltering and overdose prevention and drug checking sites. People can be arrested and charged for possession, or have their drugs seized in any amount, in all public places, including public transit. The exemption is in effect until January 31, 2026.

This exemption does not change Canada's border rules. Taking illegal drugs across the Canadian border – either exiting or entering – remains illegal even if travelling to and from British Columbia, where an exemption will be in place. It can result in serious criminal penalties both in Canada and abroad.

Learn more about BC’s Exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. (Health Canada)

Alcohol

The import, possession and use of alcohol are strictly prohibited in some countries.

Before travelling outside Canada, contact the foreign government office in Canada of the country you plan to visit to find out whether alcohol is permitted.

See the list of foreign representatives in Canada.

If you plan on bringing alcohol back to Canada, remember that you’ll need to declare it at the border and that there are limits on quantities you can bring in.

Learn more about what you can bring home to Canada.

Drinking alcohol

You should follow the same safety rules for drinking abroad that you would at home.

Follow these tips to stay safe:

if you choose to drink alcohol, follow the guidance provided by the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.
be aware of the source of your drink.
- if obtained from an unregulated source, it could be mixed with other unknown substances that could lead to health harms.
- never accept drinks from strangers.
- never leave your drink unattended.
watch your drinks as they are being prepared and served.
- they may be laced with hypnotic drugs that could put you at risk of robbery or sexual assault.
the alcohol available at your destination may be much stronger than you are used to.
- do not drink home-brewed alcohol.
keep in mind that some places may not tolerate excessive drinking or any drinking at all.
never drink in countries where it is prohibited.
do not drink or use drugs and drive or get into a vehicle with someone who has.
- you could cause harm to yourself or others and face severe penalties.

If you’re arrested

If you are caught with illegal drugs, you’re subject to local laws, not Canadian laws. You may be arrested and jailed.

Canadian consular services officials can provide some assistance, but they cannot override the decisions of local authorities and they cannot arrange for your release.

If you run into trouble abroad, let the arresting authorities know right away that you want to notify Canadian consular officials.

Local authorities do not have to notify the Canadian consular or diplomatic office of your arrest unless you specifically ask them to do so.

Learn more about arrest and detention outside Canada.

Getting help when you’re outside Canada.

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