Can you travel with medical marijuana? The question is becoming increasingly important as federal cannabis policy evolves.

During a recent appearance on TMZ Live, Vicente LLP partner Shawn Hauser discussed how the federal government’s move to reschedule medical cannabis is changing the conversation around traveling with medical marijuana, TSA marijuana policy and patient access.

What Federal Cannabis Rescheduling to Schedule III Means for Patients

For more than 50 years, cannabis was classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, a category reserved for substances deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

On April 22, 2026, the DOJ issued a Final Order immediately placing both FDA-approved and state-licensed medical cannabis products in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. The move to Schedule III alters the framework for medical cannabis since Schedule III substances are recognized as having accepted medical uses and are subject to a different regulatory structure than Schedule I drugs.

While many questions remain regarding implementation and future federal policy, rescheduling marks a major shift in how cannabis is treated under federal law. This change has implications for patients, businesses, healthcare providers and government agencies.

“We finally, after decades of working to overturn marijuana’s outrageous classification in Schedule I … medical marijuana is now federally legal in states where cannabis is legal under state licenses,” Shawn said.

Shawn Hauser on Traveling with Medical Marijuana

During the TMZ Live interview, Shawn discussed how shifting federal cannabis policy changes affect patients who rely on medical cannabis and may need to travel.

“Travelers … and really often veterans, seniors living with pain, cancer patients who rely on medical marijuana as part of their daily care … have been forced to feel like criminals or get cannabis on the black market out of fear of traveling and facing law enforcement for their medicine,” Shawn explained.

According to Shawn, recent TSA policy updates aim to better align federal practices with changing cannabis laws and the realities faced by medical cannabis patients.

“What TSA did is bring federal practice in line with the law, now Schedule III, and common sense,” she said. “Medical marijuana is legal and patients can travel without fear.”

What Medical Cannabis Patients Should Know Before Traveling

Shawn also highlighted the importance of travelers exercising caution and being aware of relevant state and international laws.

“TSA has made it very clear their priority is safety, not policing legitimate patients,” Shawn said. However, she noted that travelers should carry documentation that shows compliance with state medical cannabis laws and understand the legal regulations of both their departure and destination locations.

“It is important to carry your state-issued medical card,” Shawn said. “Travelers should certainly be aware that TSA has not yet published additional guidance and that final decisions at any checkpoint or search still remain with the individual officer.”

Shawn also stressed that international travel presents distinct legal considerations. “You have to be compliant with the laws of the state or country you’re in,” she explained.

As federal policy continues to evolve, questions surrounding transportation, patient protections and interstate travel are likely to remain important concerns for regulators, businesses and consumers alike.

Watch Shawn’s full interview on TMZ Live to learn more about how cannabis rescheduling may impact travelers and medical marijuana patients.

About Shawn Hauser

Shawn Hauser is a partner at Vicente LLP, where she co-chairs the firm’s Hemp and Cannabinoids Department and Federal and International Law Group. She helps cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics businesses navigate the intersections between state and federal law and ensure compliance as laws evolve. Her practice focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, general business representation, policy reform and strategic guidance to best position businesses for success at the state, national, and international levels. Visit Shawn Hauser’s profile here.

For ongoing updates and resources related to cannabis rescheduling, visit Vicente LLP’s Federal Cannabis Schedule III Updates & Resources Hub.