If you’re a regular CBD user and getting ready to travel, then you’ll probably want to find out a little more about taking CBD along with you wherever you go. Traveling can be stressful and a little tricky if you aren’t sure of all the rules and regulations.
The laws on whether you are or aren’t allowed to travel with CBD are a little more complicated than we’d all expect, but we’re here to break everything down for you and keep you updated on what is currently allowed and in compliance with state, international and TSA guidelines.
Confusion about Traveling with CBD
Many places in the world still consider cannabis to be an illicit substance. While CBD is legal in many countries, it’s still extracted from the cannabis plant so the legality of this cannabinoid isn’t unconditional everywhere.
The 2018 Farm Bill recently removed cannabis with low concentrations of THC (less than 0.3%) from being defined as marijuana in their Controlled Substances Act – and redefined it as “hemp”. This means that these products are able to be taken across state borders and can be brought on domestic flights. This means that products made from hemp (cannabis plants containing under 0.3% THC) are able to be taken across state borders and can be brought on domestic flights. This is great news since most CBD is derived from hemp.
Although this could sound like a green light for travel, there are still many states that have set their own sets of regulations and laws for CBD.
Ways to Travel with your CBD
When we’re used to a certain routine, we have a set regimen for supplementation. It should go without saying that we’d want to continue smoking our CBD pre-rolls, eating gummies and using our oils while on vacation, working, or visiting family and friends.
Having a remedy for stress can be one of the most helpful things when moving around the country especially when it comes to the management of and the stress and anxieties around the uncertainties of traveling now.
Whether you’ll be 30,000 miles high or winding through roads for a long weekend trip, for a lot of us, it might be the first time we’re out and about in over a year. Some areas might just require knowing state and local laws while others could require some intensive research.
Let’s take a deeper look into means of transportation and the best ways to travel with CBD.
Car
– Road tripping by car shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Having a good understanding of local laws in the state you’re in or traveling too will be enough. If the THC content is below the legal limits, then you’re good―especially if you have hemp derived CBD.
– The important thing to keep in mind is that hemp-derived CBD is being treated differently than CBD from marijuana. Due to this, you don’t legally have to carry it in a closed container or declare you have it (although we do recommend carrying paperwork of purchase as it can easily be confused with marijuana).
Mass Transit
– We’re going to see similar rules and guidelines for travel by train and mass transit within the United States. Similarly, legal amounts of hemp-derived CBD are fine to bring along with you. Again, keeping up with local and state laws of travel on this one is all you need.
– Cruise Ships, buses, and trains that go international or have international connections are a different story. It’s always best to double check the rules of the cruise, train, or bus line before taking off as the regulations will vary from one line to another as well as doing some research on the legality of CBD in other countries you may be visiting.
Plane
– Although there are a few exceptions, you shouldn’t be too held up flying with your CBD. Always having your certificate of analysis and purchase for your product on hand is the way to go. Besides being a legitimate way of confirming the THC percentage of the cannabis, the paperwork will also serve to differentiate and prove what you have.
Traveling to Canada with CBD
A good example of international travel with CBD would be the case with Canada. As the country is paving a forward moving path for worldwide legalization, they have adopted a liberal policy with respect towards CBD products.
Due to medical and recreational cannabis being legal in Canada, you can legally purchase and travel freely with both hemp-derived and marijuana-derived CBD.
Traveling with a hemp-derived CBD product from Canada into the USA is perfectly legal thanks to the Controlled Substances Act of 2018. You’ll be fine moving through airport security if no one suspects you of taking anything illegal in or out of the U.S.
Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana
Molecularly, CBD from cannabis and CBD from hemp are the same, although most CBD products are made using the hemp plant since it is far more economical to produce.
The legality and the effects that CBD produces are on a whole different playing field from marijuana. Although they both originate from the same plant family, look, and smell familiar they are legally classified as two different plants.
Without diving deep into the molecular and genetic differences between the two, what makes traveling with CBD tricky is proving what you have due to products from the two plants looking so similar.
Some Options Are Better Than Others
In 2019, the TSA publicly announced: “TSA officers DO NOT search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. But in the event a substance appears to be marijuana or a cannabis infused product, were required by federal law to notify law enforcement.”
So, if the TSA says it’s technically legal to travel, should we still openly travel with everything our hearts desire? Maybe. But, something to keep in mind is; should we still rely on agents and other people to be constantly in the know?
Whether we are on a plane, train, or traveling by car, a pungent joint with green flower wrapped inside is going to turn some heads if seen. Again, it’s best to be prepared with paperwork and knowledge of laws where you’ll be traveling.
If you’re not looking for that extra scrutiny from an unknowing officer or a TSA agent, it’s always better to conceal your pre-rolls during travel.
Closing Recommendations
The above goes to show how complicated many areas of using CBD are. From possessing the products to buying and traveling with CBD. The TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.
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.
It’s also important to take into account state laws and border crossings as you may not be able to legally possess any form of CBD where you plan to go―this goes for national and international travel. Do research on where you’ll travel to, follow the CBD packaging guidelines that follow TSA rules, and document your purchase or what you are carrying.
Traveling with CBD and cannabis products still can be a little risky as we continue to define the laws and legality surrounding cannabis but the above information should help you when going through states and flying or arriving to international destinations.
States where CBD is strictly regulated
With 2022 right around the corner every state is either fully legal (nothing changed from the 2018 farm bill) or conditionally legal. Within the states that honored the 2018 act, you’ll have no trouble but, the conditional states may pose a little more trouble depending whether you have marijuana or hemp derived CBD.
We suggest doing a little more state by state research for the “conditional” states – the others, you’ll be good to go!
Fully Legal States
– Alaska
– Colorado
– Illinois
– Maine
– Michigan
– Nevada
– Oregon
– Washington D.C.
– Vermont
– Washington
Conditional States
– Alabama
– Arizona
– Arkansas
– California | Los Angeles
– Connecticut
– Delaware
– Florida
– Georgia
– Hawaii
– Idaho
– Indiana
– Iowa
– Kansas
– Kentucky
– Louisiana
– Maryland
– Massachusetts
– Minnesota
– Mississippi
– Missouri
– Montana
– Nebraska
– New Hampshire
– New Jersey
– New Mexico
– New York
– North Dakota
– Ohio
– Oklahoma
– Oregon
– Pennsylvania
– Rhode Island
– South Carolina
– South Dakota
– Tennessee
– Texas
– Utah
– Vermont
– Virginia
– West Virginia
– Wisconsin
– Wyoming
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