It’s that oh-so-special time of year again – the warm breeze of summer has begun to drift across the country, calling college students, families, and everyone else to begin their yearly travel plans. So, what does traveling with CBD look like?
For most of us, summer travel may simply include a few hours in our favorite car. But for many, the call of far-off destinations requires a little help from the Wright Brothers in the form of air travel, a stressful activity for anyone.
As CBD becomes more accessible to the masses, there’s no doubt about CBD becoming the popular choice to ease the stress and anxiety that come with extended periods of traveling — especially when flying. But can you fly with CBD oil?
While the answer to that question is not a simple yes or no, traveling with CBD can bring with it the very stress you are trying to avoid. Is CBD oil legal in other states? Can you take it to another country? Can you take CBD oil on a plane? Nobody needs that stress.
So, before you begin packing your bags to the brim with CBD products, here are some helpful answers to general questions about traveling with CBD.
Can I Fly with CBD Oil?
CBD users rejoiced in May 2019 when the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) announced that air travelers can now carry CBD oils on flights. The primary stipulation is that the products must adhere to federal law. In short, CBD oils must derive from industrial hemp and contain 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less.
So according to TSA flight rules, yes. You can travel domestically with CBD.
But you do have to be careful where you get it. Some CBD oil, especially if it’s labeled “full spectrum,” may contain THC above the legal limit. And even if you’re carrying legal products, the relation to marijuana could mislead security officers and drug-sniffing dogs alike. To prevent such problems, consider these tips:
- Research CBD products carefully: It’s important for you to know what you’re putting into or on your body. Traveling with CBD makes knowing the contents of the product even more crucial. Make sure your products are lab tested and insist on seeing the results. You can see our lab results here.
- Stick with THC-free CBD oil: The drug testing kits used by law enforcement agents may only detect the presence of THC and be unable to determine how much is present. It could take some time to replace these obsolete field tests, so a THC-free CBD oil is your smartest option when traveling.
- Consumer packaged CBD oils travel better: It’s impossible for police to distinguish between hemp and marijuana flowers. This problem has led to unnecessary arrests and general confusion in the marketplace. Consumer packaged tincture oils, capsules, and similar products are less likely to confuse law enforcement officers.
Another important tip for flying with CBD: keep in mind the TSA flight rules in place for liquid containers, vape pens, and e-cigarettes. According to these rules, passengers are allowed to have vapes and e-cigarettes on the plane in their carry-on baggage only. These items are not permitted in checked bags for safety reasons.
Essentially, the cabin is pressurized and the cargo compartment is not. So, unless you want to have a broken vape pen at the end of your travels with all the goodness inside now decorating your clothes, just keep it in your carry-on.
Fortunately, you can avoid the whole issue with products such as CBD capsules or CBD gummies, as these would not violate TSA liquid standards in any way.
In What States Is CBD Oil Legal?
If your travel plans are taking you through state borders, you may want to consider a few moments and read up on what states CBD oil is legal in from the states you’re traveling through this time.
The recent 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized industrial hemp and hemp-derived products by removing them from the Controlled Substances Act – subsequently allowing interstate commerce or distribution between states.
However, this law only applies to the federal classification of industrial hemp – any part of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC. State-level governments still have the authority to outlaw anything derived from cannabis if they choose.
It may not be such a big deal when traveling directly through non-stop.
However, if you’re openly vaping CBD in a state that has rules different from the federal government, then you may find yourself in deep trouble, especially with state governments that continue to view all forms of cannabis as illegal.
According to the CBD Awareness Project, all forms of hemp-derived CBD are legal in every state except South Dakota, where the ruling remains unclear. In Idaho and Nebraska CBD products of any kind remain illegal. If you have a marijuana-derived version of CBD, this is where things get sticky.
Marijuana derived CBD products remain illegal in states that have not decided open use of marijuana is not against the law. So, states such as Washington, Alaska, Colorado, California, and other states that have legalized marijuana use for recreational purposes, you will be just fine. For a complete rundown of what states CBD is legal in, check out our blog post Is CBD Oil Legal Where You Live?
Can I Travel Internationally With CBD Oil?
It’s a magnificent, vast world out there – and if you’re spending your vacation in an exotic location beyond U.S. borders, then understand that different countries have different rules.
Some areas may allow hemp-based CBD, while others may prohibit any THC-heavy CBD, or won’t permit any cannabis-derived products at all. Here are a few examples.
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Mexico - Recently, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto decriminalized small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. However, all CBD products containing more than 1% THC are still illegal. Hemp-derived CBD, with less than 0.3% THC, would remain legal for purchase in Mexico and use in the country.
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Canada - One might think that because marijuana has been legalized in Canada, CBD would also be just fine. However, the law legalizing cannabis for recreational use includes only leaves and flowers of the plant. Extracts such as CBD are still considered a controlled substance only for medicinal purposes. So, it might not be advisable to visit our northern neighbors with CBD.
- European Union - The EU standard for THC in hemp products is lower than here in the U.S. They require 0.2% or less THC, which is completely legal in most of Europe. Austria and Luxembourg do allow up to 0.3% THC with France allowing only 0% THC isolates. In Switzerland, that percentage goes up to 1% THC, with CBD being illegal in Slovakia and Lithuania.
The accountability will naturally be on you to become familiar with any CBD or industrial hemp laws from foreign countries before making travel plans. With all its beneficial characteristics, CBD can be a useful travel companion – and with such a variety of CBD products available in the market — it’d be difficult not to find some form of CBD that will fit perfectly with your traveling needs.
Disclaimer: The cbdMD blog contains general information about health, diet, lifestyle, and nutrition. Any information provided should not be considered or treated as medical advice and always consult a medical professional before making any lifestyle changes. Products and information mentioned on the cbdMD blog are not intended to be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment. Any links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience only and cbdMD is not responsible for their content.
