In 2019, just two short years ago, an unfortunate 71 year old woman made the news by being arrested and spending two days in jail at the Dallas Fort Worth airport for the crime of carrying CBD oil in her carry on bag. These types of stories were not unusual at the time, but thankfully, the TSA has since revised their policies.
New TSA Rules
The TSA now explicitly states that they allow medical marijuana, hemp derived products that are federally legal (contain less than 0.3% THC), and other drugs that are approved by the FDA. This means that if you flying domestically with CBD products that meet federal standards like CBD oil, gummies, topicals, etc, you no longer have to worry. Although the TSA does not require it, if you want to be extra safe, you can take the extra step of printing out the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for you CBD product which shows that your CBD contains less than 0.3% THC and is thus federally legal. COA’s can be obtained from the CBD manufacturer and any reputable CBD company will have these test results easily accessible on their website.
Marijuana Products (Medical and Recreational)
For those that want to carry marijuana products (products that contain more than 0.3% THC), keep in mind that only medical marijuana is allowed at this time. Even though many states now allow recreational use of marijuana, carrying it on a plane is only allowed if you are a medical marijuana patient in your home state. It would be best to also carry proof of your status as a medical marijuana patient.
The TSA says that since they are focused on security and potential threats, they do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if they do discover any illegal substance, they are required to report it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Liquids Rule
When it comes to carry-ons, it is important to remember that TSA limits the quantity of liquids that are allowed. The TSA liquids rule applies to CBD oil just as it would to cosmetics, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes; 3.4 oz (100ml) containers or smaller that fit in a 1 quart, resealable bag. In the case of CBD oil, most CBD oils come in a 1 or 2 fl. Oz bottle, so you can bring your favorite CBD oil with you on your next domestic trip. This rule would not apply to CBD gummies or gelcaps.
International Travel
When travelling internationally, we enter into a grey area. Countries have varying rules around CBD and hemp products. In some countries, cannabis products are considered contraband and you will end up in jail for carrying any amount of cannabis product, even if it is considered legal in the USA. For this reason, carrying any type of CBD or cannabis product internationally is very risky and not recommended.
Why carry CBD when travelling?
Two of the top reasons that people take CBD are anxiety and insomnia. When travelling, a lot of folks experience anxiety and CBD can provide gentle relief. If you have ever had to catch an early morning flight, you know how exhausted you can be once you reach your final destination. Once again, CBD can help you to relax, get some sleep and overcome jet lag faster. CBD can also prove helpful for travelling with dogs. Airlines require that your dog be well behaved in order to travel in the main cabin, so if your dog is prone to travel anxiety, CBD might be just the ticket to a stress free flight.
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