World’s First Airport Cannabis Dispensary Reportedly Opening Summer 2022

Prince George Airport will reportedly allow a dispensary on its premises as of this summer

Traveling, generally, with cannabis, is still risky, if not an angst-producing experience – even for those with doctor’s notes. Everyone else risks, at minimum, an unpleasant encounter in transit that can easily end badly.

When it comes to air travel – and of all kinds – this caveat is even more true and for a specific reason. Airspace is either “sovereign” or “international” territory. This means that unless there is domestic federal reform, those who transport personal stores are still breaking federal law. This is one of the reasons that flying with products in the United States remains a hazardous proposition.

Per international law, of course, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug. While this is changing, very slowly – and on an individual, case-by-case basis for patients (with plenty of administrative prep work required before one travel), so far for recreational users, this is uncharted territory.

The Canadian Exception

This situation is a bit different in Canada. National law allows travelers to have up to 30 grams of flower for domestic flights and airports have now begun to establish smoking areas – just like they did for tobacco smokers.

However, until now, it was not possible for passengers in transit to buy their supply airports.

This phase too is now ending. As of this summer. Canadians flying out of or landing in Prince George Airport will be able to either get high to fly – or take off right after they land. The only exceptions (apart from the obvious age limits) are that the dispensary will not be allowed to sell to international travelers – or employees of the airport. The store, called fetchingly if not appropriately Copilot, will check boarding passes before they sell – much like duty-free shops already do.

The new idea is not without its controversies. Two of Canada’s largest airlines, Air Canada and WestJet have raised concerns about those on international layover flights and the issue of intoxicated passengers more generally.

That said, this is a bit of a canard. International passengers of Canadian origin would still be able to bring their own and consume it before the flight. The danger from intoxicated passengers is no different than with alcohol.

There is no firm date set for the opening, but according to the website for the dispensary, it will be sometime this summer.

Flying high is about to take on a whole other semantic meaning.