Pot Smokers Flying High From Oakland

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Medical marijuana patients boarding flights out of Oakland International Airport are allowed to take up to 8 ounces of pot onboard, the San Jose Mercury News reports .

The policy enacted last year by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office states that if someone is a qualified patient or primary caregiver as defined by California law, they are allowed to carry 8 ounces or less of the drug onto the plane. There is a risk, however.

Pot-carrying passengers may be charged with a felony when they arrive at their destination if it is a place where medical marijuana is not recognized.

The California sheriffs say they won't try to get the medical marijuana users busted by alerting other authorities.

"We never have. We're certainly within our right to, but we never have," said Sgt. J.D. Nelson, a spokesman for the sheriff's office. "Our notification of the passengers is for their own safety and well-being."

On Monday, it was announced that the Obama administration would direct federal drug agents not to pursue pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers in states that allow medical marijuana.

The new policy is a significant departure from the administration of former President George W. Bush, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

Thirteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Arizona and Maryland have passed laws that, although favorable towards medical marijuana, did not legalize its use.