From poor travel etiquette to potential jail time, small mistakes can mean big consequences when it comes to boating with cannabis.
Whether you’re chartering a catamaran in the Caribbean, hopping aboard a party boat in California, or spending a weekend on a houseboat in Massachusetts, cannabis can make an already-amazing experience even better. However, nothing can spoil a great time on the water quicker than a bad decision.
Unlike hotels and airports, the rules around cannabis and boating can be seriously confusing. You could even be allowed to ingest at your private vacation rental yet prohibited from doing so on the boat tied up to the dock behind the house!
Boat Day Essentials
Plus, waterways often operate under a patchwork of local, state, federal, and maritime regulations. Add in private rental agreements, charter policies, and safety concerns, and it’s easy to get confused, make mistakes, and wind up in trouble. That’s why we’re here to give you the 10 most important pieces of information that cannabis travelers need to know before heading out to sea.
1. On the water doesn’t mean untouchable — nor invisible.
Travelers often mistakenly believe that being on a boat puts them outside normal cannabis laws. In reality, boating often comes with stricter regulations than driving a car. Your location may even fall under federal jurisdiction, where cannabis possession is illegal.
Responsible consumption also means recognizing that a boat is rarely as private as it feels. There are eyes and cameras everywhere at marinas, harbors, and similar popular boating areas. Other boaters, dock staff, charter operators, and marine patrol officers can all see (and smell) what you’re doing.
2. The laws are different at sea than on land.
Just because you’re in a place where recreational and/or medical cannabis use is legal doesn’t mean that those rules extend to the boat, waterway, or marina where you’re located. For example, unlike traditional police officers, marine law enforcement may board vessels for safety inspections and, depending on the circumstances, investigate potential violations.
Before you bring cannabis with you, make sure you understand both the laws and the particular vessel’s policies.
3. Boating under the influence is a serious crime.
If you have a driver’s license — and even if you don’t! — then you know it’s illegal to get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking or using drugs (DUI). The same rule applies on the water.
Every U.S. state prohibits operating a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis. Just as police can stop a driver suspected of driving under the influence, marine patrol officers can stop a vessel if they believe the operator is impaired. Penalties for boating under the influence (BUI) can include fines, suspension of boating privileges, criminal charges, and even jail time.
4. Be aware of borders.
A weekend sailing trip to the Bahamas may sound like the perfect vacation; bringing cannabis along is not. Crossing a border with cannabis — even between places with legal cannabis — can lead to serious consequences. The safest rule is simple: never take cannabis across state or international borders by boat.
In some situations, crossing a harbor, bay, or state line can dramatically change what’s legal. And depending on where you’re boating, you could be subject to state, federal, and maritime authorities all at once. If you’re unsure who controls the waterway where you’ll be boating, err on the side of the most conservative laws.
5. Know what you’re bringing aboard.
If you’re taking a suitcase, makeup case, tote, purse, or anything else (including your pants pockets!) in which you ever keep your stash and supplies, triple-check that you didn’t leave anything in there by mistake. An overlooked vape pen mixed in with your toiletries might not seem like a big deal to you, but the police officer searching your belongings would probably disagree.
6. Be responsible about mixing cannabis, alcohol, boating, and hot days in the sun.
A perfect day on the water includes hydration, shade, and knowing your limits. The combination of cannabis, heat, sun, and motion can hit harder on water than it does when you consume at home. If you’re partaking in cannabis on a boat, start with a low dose and increase the potency slowly. Remember — you can always take more, but you can’t go back and take less.
When you’re on the water, store cannabis products in a cool, shaded place whenever possible. In the heat and sun, gummies can melt into a sticky mess, chocolates can liquefy, and vape cartridges may leak or become damaged.
7. Cruise lines generally prohibit cannabis.
Even if it’s legal at your point of departure, your destination, and all stops in between, cruise lines generally ban guests from bringing cannabis aboard. Because cruise ships operate under international regulations and company policies, travelers can face denied boarding, confiscation, or removal from the ship — and your chances of getting a refund are slim to none.
8. Boat charters and rental companies make their own rules.
Asking questions and reviewing the contract before you board can save you a lot of frustration later. Public charter boats are held to a federal standard, but specific rules can vary by jurisdiction and company for a variety of reasons. A particular insurance policy might require zero tolerance. Some charters ban smoking but allow possession. Others are fine with you smoking outside. Still others will tell you that if they don’t know about it, they don’t mind.
If you’re renting or staying on a houseboat, these vessels often operate more like vacation rentals. However, local laws, marina rules, and rental agreements still apply.
9. Motion sickness is real.
Cannabis affects everyone differently. While some people say it helps calm their seasickness, others find it amplifies dizziness or disorientation. Until you know how your cannabis of choice affects you on the water, consider trying a new product or upping your current dose on land first. No one wants to be stuck out to sea counting the seconds until they can get back to stable ground.
10. Don’t assume everyone aboard is on board with cannabis.
Just because you love kicking back with a bowl doesn’t mean your fellow nautilists want to be around cannabis, too. On a boat, personal space is hard to come by, and one person’s relaxing pre-sunset ritual might be another passenger’s worst nightmare.
Even if all of the guests on the boat are comfortable with you partaking, doing so around children could violate company policies.
A little courtesy goes a long way. Ask before consuming, and be mindful of the people around you — especially underage passengers.
Know Before You Go: A Quick Checklist for Boating with Cannabis
- Know the cannabis laws where you’re boating.
- Always designate a sober captain.
- Review your charter company’s cannabis policy.
- Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.
- Avoid combining heavy cannabis use with alcohol.
- Never transport cannabis across international borders.
- Remember that federal and maritime laws may differ from local laws.
- When in doubt, prioritize safety over convenience.
- Responsible cannabis travel includes leaving destinations cleaner than you found them. Take everything you brought aboard with you when you go, and dispose of it properly.
Where do you love to spend time on the water? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
