How might the use of cannabis impact an emergency travel medical claim with Goose?

As of October 17, 2018, Cannabis is now legal in Canada

What does this mean for travellers?

• Under the Cannabis Act, the legalization and regulation of cannabis in Canada will not change Canada’s border rules.
• Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into, or outside of Canada, remains illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both in Canada and abroad. This will apply even when travelling to or from places that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis.
• Bringing cannabis used for medical purposes across the Canada/US border will also remain illegal.

We recommend checking out “Don’t travel internationally with cannabis”, the Government of Canada’s bilingual leaflet.

How might the use of cannabis impact an emergency travel medical claim with Goose?

• Travellers may or may not have coverage while travelling within Canada or abroad. This will depend on the following:
• If a claim arises due to the abuse/misuse of cannabis, then the claim would be denied, whether or not it was legal in the country or US State they’re travelling in.
• If the cannabis was recommended by a doctor and was taken for medicinal purposes (and not being abused/misused), then a related claim may be covered, whether or not it’s legal in the location the claim occurred (provided stability requirements are met).
• If cannabis is used for recreational purposes (no mention of medicinal use in any medical records), and not being abused/misused, the claim would be determined by whether or not it’s legal in the location where the emergency happened:
•  If legal, then the claim may be covered.
•  If illegal, the claim would be denied.

A claim would be denied for a medical cannabis prescription to get filled because it’s currently available over the counter, which we don’t cover.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

A trip cancellation claim would be denied if the traveller tried to cross the border and was denied entry because they’re banned, due to previous cannabis declaration. This is not a covered risk of the policy.