More people are finding that cannabidiol (CBD) is the ideal addition to their daily routines thanks to its unique and beneficial properties. Now that it’s safer to travel domestically in 2021, you may want to bring your CBD with you when you travel. Before you get on a plane with CBD in your bag, there are some important tips and lessons.
Hemp: The Ideal Travel Companion?
A lot of people want to take CBD with them when they travel because they don’t want to skip out on their daily routine. They find that each daily dose gives them distinctive effects that make it easier to get through their days. When we travel, we want to be able to unwind and make the most out of each day away, and we know that the balancing properties of cannabinoids like CBD can help make this even more possible.
We also know that many people find hemp to help them during an actual flight, when many of us have our guards up and notice feelings of uneasiness. It’s no surprise that a lot of nervous flyers keep a bottle of CBD oil in their carry-on luggage to get through the next several hours of travel.
Is It Legal to Fly with CBD?
Up until recently, the TSA still did not permit CBD or any other hemp-based products on planes. That has since changed as our industry has expanded and proven to be extremely popular. Now, the TSA does state that you can bring CBD with you on a plane as long as the product sticks to federal guidelines, which means that the product cannot contain more than 0.3% THC.
To be more specific per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines, medical marijuana is permissible in carry-ons as well as in checked luggage, with special instructions:
“Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law, except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA. (See the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334.) TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state or federal authorities.”
TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
Still, you have to remember that some TSA agents are a bit behind the times and may confuse your hemp product with marijuana if it’s not labeled properly. After all, hemp and marijuana smell, taste and look identical to one another because they share the same terpenes.
Unfortunately, the TSA has the right to confiscate anything that they would like, and so it is important to follow some tips to minimize the risk of this happening as much as possible. Keep in mind that overall, people successfully fly with CBD without any hiccups on a daily basis.
How to Fly with CBD Safely, Responsibly, and Lawfully
Now, let’s talk about the things to know before you get on a plane with your favorite hemp product in your luggage.
#1: Bring Documentation and Keep the Original Packaging
Better to be safe than sorry, which is why you should always make sure that you bring documentation with you that verifies that what you possess is hemp, and not marijuana. Lab reports from a third party, as provided by a manufacturer, are always a good way to go.
It is important to make sure that your CBD is in its original packaging, which provides all of the information a TSA agent could want to know about what’s inside. The packaging will show that the formula is made from hemp and not marijuana, and that it contains the legal amount of THC as determined by federal law.
#2: Pack CBD Carefully
- For instance, glass tincture bottles can get rattled during a flight. You’ll want to make sure they’re protected so they won’t knock into anything that could cause the glass to shatter.
- Make sure the products are sealed tightly, so they don’t leak.
- Make sure that the CBD is not exposed to prolonged sunlight, high heat, or high humidity. These can all degrade the compounds rapidly so that they lose their potency.
#3: Be Mindful of Varying Hemp Laws Around the World
Remember, while CBD is legal federally, it’s not legal everywhere. Idaho and Iowa still do not recognize hemp as a legal substance, so being caught with CBD in one of these two states could potentially lead to some trouble, although many say that this law is not strictly enforced in either state. Other countries though, have banned CBD. This could leave you facing serious penalties if caught with a hemp product.
#4: Be Mindful of TSA Rules and Restrictions
Of course, bring your CBD in a manner that’s compliant with the general rules and restrictions set forth by the TSA. Make sure you are using the correct container size for liquids should you have a CBD oil in a carry-on, otherwise put it in your luggage.
Bon Voyage!
The TSA does permit traveling with hemp, but it’s still important to be careful by following all of the TSA rules and being mindful of the hemp-related laws in your destination area. Make sure that you pack your CBD as carefully as possible too, so that you can enjoy it to the fullest by the time you get to your destination spot.
Note: TSA also has two social media tools for anyone who isn’t sure if they are permitted to travel with a specific product:
“For items not listed here, simply snap a picture or send a question to AskTSA on Facebook Messenger or Twitter. We look forward to answering your questions, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET weekdays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends/holidays.”
Another amazing tool available for consumers who want to check cannabis laws is the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). Their State Info page allows you to look up the status of cannabis legislation state by state.