Can You Fly With CBD?

CBD fans and medical CBD patients across the country have a lot of questions, chief among them being this: can you travel with CBD on an airplane?

Since CBD is known to be a powerful anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication) and some patients need it to live (like in cases with epilepsy), it’s not a frivolous question. Yes, it can create a more relaxed flight experience — it’s significantly less addictive than Xanax and healthier than a stiff drink —but some people genuinely need to fly with it. Fortunately, thanks to a recent TSA announcement, things have become a LOT clearer.

Can You Fly With CBD Oil In the United States?

Short answer: yes. The TSA says flying with CBD oil in the US is OK, as of May 29, 2019. Medical marijuana, including CBD is now a “yes” with “special instructions” for both a carry-on and checked bag, according to the TSA website.

In fact, the TSA twitter account said on May 28, 2019 “hemp-derived CBD oil” or “FDA-approved” CBD products (like Epidolex) is “generally legal and can fly.” 

They also got on Instagram on 420 this year (TSA is so hip!) to say “We’d like to think we’re cool [...] TSA officers DO NOT search for marijuana. Our screening procedures are focused on security and detecting potential threats. But in the event a substance appears to be marijuana or a cannabis-infused product, we’re required by federal law to notify law enforcement.” Note: this applies to marijuana and THC, not CBD, which is federally legal.

This means you can’t fly with THC products still, but we anticipate that will change as more and more states have lifted the prohibition on all forms of cannabis. As of now, cannabis is completely legal in 10 states plus the actual capital of our nation (feels right), and medical marijuana is legal in 33 states. Interstate flying still falls under federal jurisdiction and laws, which means for now, TSA is saying “it’s a no from me, dawg.”

Can You Fly With CBD Oil Internationally?

As for flying outside the US, that’s where it starts to get a bit more confusing — and even life threatening. You can leave the country via TSA’s protocol with your CBD in hand, but what about getting into a new country, or getting home from abroad?

Listen, there are like… 195 countries in the world. If you think we’re going to break down the traveling-cannabis laws of nearly 200 nations right now you came to the wrong place. HOWEVER, we do have some important details you need to know.

Each country is going to have their own regulations on cannabis (some countries DGAF, others are quite stringent). You’ll want to research your destinations’ laws heavily before departing for an international trip.

In some countries it is legal to consume CBD, but you cannot bring it across the border (they consider it drug smuggling, which is honestly kind of wild). For instance, it’s perfectly legal to consume cannabis in Canada, but apparently you cannot travel in or out of the country with it.

The European Union and UK have broadly legalized CBD and cannabis, but it’s still tricky from country-to-country and you’ll have to verify your specific travel itinerary to confirm that you’re good to go.

Here’s the big NO section: from what we’ve gathered, you cannot go to South America (exception: Uruguay), Africa (exception: South Africa), the Caribbean (exception: USVI, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda), the Middle East (no exceptions), Asia (exception: India), and a handful of countries in Europe with CBD (however, as we said, many countries in Europe have legalized it). There’s a MAJOR major point here: some countries, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia consider traveling with CBD to be drug smuggling and it is punishable by death penalty. Not a joke. This includes Egypt, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam, and China.

Anything Else to Know?

Back to the land of the (somewhat) free and the home of the brave hemp consumers. The short answer is “you're good.” No death penalty over here (thank God). Our suggestion is to make this easy on yourself, and put your CBD products in with your toiletries and medicines. We’ve been traveling with CBD for a long time now and haven’t run into issues, but it’s always good to take the extra steps to ensure your trip goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Shop our top Svn (7) CBD products to help get you through your next flight:

1. Verte Essentials Voyager Beauty Collection
   
2. Juna Travel Size Nude CBD Drops
3. Gara Skincare CBD Travel Set
4. The Good Patch CBD Calm Patch
5. Aurelian Palo Santo Calming Scented Oil With CBD
6. Love Lynn Botanicals CBD Beauty Travel Set
7. Lucent Botanicals Sleep CBD Mints