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As we get back into the natural swing of travel after COVID-19 restrictions begin lifting, you may be wondering if you can fly with your CBD products. While hemp and hemp-derived CBD are legal under federal law in the United States, flying with CBD still isn’t as straightforward as it seems. You may be wondering if you can even bring CBD on a plane, and if so, what the rules and regulations of traveling with CBD entail. Here’s everything you need to know about flying with CBD to comply with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines.
CBD helps curb travel anxiety
First and foremost, as many CBD users already know, CBD is excellent for combatting travel anxiety. A lot of people are nervous fliers, and that’s okay! Even if you’re not generally a nervous flyer, you may be worried about flying during the uncertainty of COVID-19. Even with masks, social distancing, and vaccines, it’s normal to feel on edge when you’re in a claustrophobic environment with many people.
But that’s where CBD comes in. CBD is a cannabinoid found in both hemp and the cannabis plant known for helping people maintain balance in the body. Ongoing research may indicate that CBD could be used to regulate sleep effectively and facilitate a healthy response to the everyday anxieties of travel. Whether you use CBD as part of your daily routine or just control flying anxiety, it can help you feel calmer in stressful environments.
Can you bring CBD on a plane?
If you’re nervous about flying, you might be wondering, “Can I fly with CBD oil or other CBD products?” In short, yes. However, your CBD has to be hemp-derived. If your CBD product contains hemp-derived CBD oil that contains less than 0.3% THC (the legal limit), then you’re pretty much good to go. However, there are a few exceptions and things you should know to vet your products before bringing them to the airport thoroughly. After all, the last thing you want is to inadvertently carry an illegal drug through airport security screening.
TSA Guidelines for Traveling with CBD
According to the TSA, you can legally travel with a hemp-derived CBD oil product as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC— the legal limit. Most commercial CBD products are tested under this level as they cannot be sold if they contain more than 0.3%. However, if you live in a state with legal marijuana or if you have your medical marijuana card, you can’t fly with marijuana-derived CBD. Even if permitted under legal state law in some areas of the United States, these products are illegal on a federal level as they can contain higher than the 0.3% legal THC level.
That said, a TSA agent won’t always be able to tell if your CBD product is hemp or marijuana-derived, and further, they won’t be able to know if the product has less than 0.3% THC content. The TSA won’t test your product on-site and may opt to confiscate it and turn it in to law enforcement officers if they suspect it’s an illegal substance or item. With that in mind, make sure the CBD products you bring with you are in their original packaging and clearly labeled. It also helps to print off the CBD lab results from the company on the label to prove that your product meets legal limits.
A lot of the time, it’s up to the TSA security officer’s discretion to inspect and allow CBD products or surrender them to law enforcement. But that said, if your product is clearly labeled and you have your test results, you shouldn’t run into any trouble with the TSA’s screening procedures. The TSA is looking for potential threats, and frankly, they don’t care too much about CBD.¹
Can You Travel Internationally With CBD?
If you're traveling abroad with a hemp or cannabis product, it's best to check each country and region's CBD law before departure. For instance, you can travel with a CBD product to the United Kingdom as long as it's within the limits and meets the CBD law requirements. In other places like South America, laws can vary in each country, so be sure to check the local law regulations of your destination. A general rule of thumb is to always check with your travel destination as rules and laws can change frequently.
Which CBD Products Can You Travel With?
Traveling with CBD can lead to many questions like: can you bring CBD capsules on a plane? Can you travel with CBD gummy products? What about CBD cream and other topicals? For the most part, yes. You can travel with CBD gummies, oils, creams, and even CBD vapes as long as you follow TSA guidelines. Your products should be in travel-approved 3.4oz bottles and not in any glass or metals. Here's a breakdown of what you can bring and how you should bring it.
- CBD tinctures: CBD tincture is allowed in checked bags or in carry-ons if it’s contained in a plastic, TSA-compliant bottle with the factory seal intact.
- CBD topicals: A CBD topical product is permitted in both checked baggage and hand luggage if it’s contained in a TSA-compliant container with the factory seal intact.
- CBD gummies or other CBD edibles: One of the many CBD gummies benefits is that they are easy to use and generally contain less than a 0.3% THC level. They are allowed in checked luggage or carry-on baggage in its original packaging with the factory seal intact. The less than 0.3% THC level rule applies on a dry weight basis, which means CBD edibles are perfectly legal to bring onto a flight.
- CBD capsules: CBD oil capsules and similar products are legal to fly in checked luggage and carry-on bags as long as they’re traveling in TSA-compliant packaging.
- CBD vape pens: CBD vape devices can’t be left in a checked bag due to the fire hazard in the cargo area. You can have them in your carry-on bag, though.
Which CBD products can’t fly?
Generally speaking, most CBD products can fly. However, some products still can’t. Make sure you rule these items out of your packing list to have an easy trip through security.
- CBD isolate: While CBD isolate oils, gummies, capsules, and vapes are legal, concentrated CBD sold in 1g jars is hard to get through airport security. These items can travel in your checked bag, but they may get you into some trouble if you try to bring them in your carry-on bag since they look like marijuana concentrates. It's possible they'll be confiscated.
- CBD flower: Nobody will be able to tell the difference between marijuana and hemp flowers. Avoid a hiccup with security by leaving these products at home, so you don’t run the risk of confiscation or dealing with law enforcement when you have a plane to catch.
- Marijuana products and marijuana-derived CBD: The CBD laws passed in 2018 don’t make marijuana legal. All products traveling must be derived from the hemp plant and must test under the 0.3% THC limit.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, as long as you’re flying with hemp-derived CBD products and following the most recent TSA guidelines, you’re pretty safe to travel with CBD.² Just keep in mind that CBD is still illegal in some states. Be sure to follow the local regulations in the state you’re traveling to if you want to avoid confiscation or law enforcement.³
Currently, a few states don’t allow for CBD in any ingestible product, while others allow it in tincture form but not infused into foods and beverages. However, this is subject to change and frequently does, so be sure to always do your research before traveling with CBD. If your trip takes you abroad, follow international rules specific to the country you’ll be visiting. Each city, state, and country has wildly different drug laws, so take some time and do your research to keep yourself safe out there.
Finding the Best CBD Product to Travel With
Now that you know more about traveling with CBD domestically, you can be on your way to finding the best CBD product to curb your flying stress.
Whether you're looking for CBD capsules, a topical, or CBD oil product, we've got what you need at Lazarus Naturals. Shop our selection for your next time flying.
Safe travels!
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Sources:
¹https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/flying-with-cbd-tsa-says-its-cool
²https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medical-marijuana