Traveling with CBD: Everything You Need to Know

From the daily stress of work and personal life, who doesn’t like to travel every now and then to get a reprieve? Traveling with CBD can either be a wonderful or stressful endeavor.

Whether you’re planning a beach trip on the other side of the country or simply want to sightsee other cities, relaxing is important. Partnered with a little CBD and your vacation should be a dream come true.

Though, of course, flying with CBD oil still comes with certain precautions. With its many health benefits, it’s no wonder many people want to take their goodies on their new adventures. Whether you’re a long time or a first time user, knowing CBD laws on traveling can help avoid stress and give you a hassle-free trip.

Read on to know more about certain precautions you may have overlooked. This article aims to help you know more about traveling with CBD to your dream destination, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Flying with CBD: Is It Legal?

The laws surrounding hemp products can be unclear and leave for loopholes most of the time. This is mostly because the bill legalizing industrial hemp was legalized only a couple of years ago. Fortunately for you, many rules have changed for the better.

Industrial hemp oil and CBD is now federally legal. However, marijuana and other types of cannabis with high THC content remain illegal in some states. These states also have strict regulations on CBD, depending on local laws.

Now the question arises: if CBD is fully legal in your home state, can you fly with it in other states or cities with different hemp laws?

Again, there is no clear and definitive answer to this. As stipulations are still being reevaluated and made by legislators, the law can be confusing to CBD users. For now, the TSA advises that the final decision of allowing passengers to carry their hemp products rests on the officer on duty at the checkpoint.

CBD is mostly popular for its many health benefits. These include reducing chronic pain, soothing anxiety, and helping with sleeping problems. You can see why many passengers like traveling with CBD as it can help with flight discomfort.

Since the compound is also completely non-psychoactive, people of all ages flock to it. They can reap the benefits of cannabis without having to worry about intoxication. This is ideal for people who travel a lot since they can enjoy hemp without the dangers of ending up groggy or out of focus.

Read More: HEMP VS MARIJUANA

2018 Farm Bill and Traveling with CBD

Once upon a time, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) banned marijuana or other illegal drugs on flights. Since the Farm Bill was passed, they also made sure to clear up confusion among CBD-carrying passengers.

This comes after the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill was reauthorized from its original passage in 2014. The new bill states that all industrial hemp and its byproducts are now considered as agricultural commodities.

So long as the product or raw material does not contain more than 0.3 percent THC trace content by dry weight, it is federally legal.

Relatively new as a law, legislators are still coming up with new and improved guidelines on the Farm Bill. Regulations and exceptions on the hemp industry and its byproducts are being mostly handled by the Department of Agriculture together with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to TSA, security officers do not search for marijuana or infused products. They are focused on the security and safety of the passengers. However, if they suspect someone is carrying an illegal substance, TSA officers are required to report suspected violations of law.

Another factor to consider when traveling with CBD is that some states have more restrictive laws regarding CBD. In states like Virginia, for example, hemp oil products are only available to those with prescriptions and a medical card.

The FDA also does not allow CBD as an additive to food and drinks.

In May 2019, the TSA updated the ‘What Can I Bring’ section of their website. The memo states that carrying cannabis-infused products including medical marijuana and hemp products in carry-on and checked baggage are allowed.

This is so long as you carefully follow “special instructions” specified therein. This includes all the rules stipulated in the Farm Bill, including the 0.3 percent THC cap.

Traveling with CBD Oil in the US

If you are traveling with CBD products from a state that fully legalized it to a state where the hemp laws are still note established, take certain precautions. Marijuana and certain cannabis products are still illegal under federal law if they do not adhere to the guidelines of the Farm Bill.

The safest thing to do would be to leave your goodies behind. But if you absolutely need it, take your prescription and other needed documents. This is to avoid conflict with law enforcement officers.

Moreover, keep the product in their original packaging so the officer in charge can see the label and content of the hemp oil.

Some states require medical marijuana ID cards to allow hemp products within their borders. If you do not possess one, it is best to leave the products behind. But if you can convince law enforcement with proper documentation as back up, your CBD might be allowed.

After leaving the airport though, it could be another story altogether.

Another precaution is procuring a copy of the product’s certificate of analysis (COA). This certificate is issued to all legal and licensed hemp producers by third-party laboratories.

It ensures that the product was tested for safety, its production date, the name of the laboratory conducting the testing, and other relevant information.

Read More: DOES CBD EXPIRE?

Traveling with CBD Overseas

While the U.S. is slowly changing cannabis laws, the same cannot be said for other countries. There are some nations that still have a zero-tolerance policy for all illegal substances.

This means that cannabidiol (CBD) oil remains contraband within a country’s borders.

If you are planning to travel with CBD to other countries for a fall getaway, be very thorough in your research. Certain laws may allow medical cannabis but not hemp products. International laws and regulations on hemp are often not outright stated or explained.

If you really need your CBD during travels, be upfront but respectful with your inquiries towards law enforcement officers or the embassy. Some countries have strict drug laws so you might get denied.

However, be prepared with proper documentation such as COA and prescriptions to help your case.

Additional Tips

When traveling with CBD, it is never a bad thing to be overly cautious. This is especially true since hemp laws are still murky even in the United States.

Some additional tips would be to do your research first before purchasing CBD products with the intention of traveling with it. If the product contains more than 0.3 THC, leave it at home.

Know the hemp and CBD laws in the place you are traveling to. Same with any other liquids, be sure to comply with the rule that all liquids in carry-ons must be less than 3.4 ounces.

If your CBD oil is more than this in volume, pack it in your checked-in baggage.

If advised, be honest with the TSA officer in charge. Do not hide your CBD or it will arouse more suspicions. So long as it complies with the country’s laws, be transparent and it can help your case some more.

Better yet, before flying in, be sure to already be knowledgeable on their hemp laws and print them out to present at the embassy or checkpoint.

Read More: HOW OLD TO BUY CBD?

Final Thoughts

In any case, hemp oil can provide wonderful support for dealing with anxiety, sleep problems, or other health problems that you may experience during travel or in flight.

Knowing the rules around CBD and taking precautions could help your overall health and well-being while still being protected by the law.

Learn More About Traveling with CBD

• Does CBD oil pass the security airport checks?

Traveling with CBD can either be fruitful or stressful. The TSA does not outright ban them, however, they also do not state anything about openly allowing cannabis and hemp-infused products.

Be sure to take documentations and prescriptions to back you up in case you are stopped at the checkpoint.

• Are CBD gummies safe to take on flights?

CBD gummies can pass as just snacks because they look inconspicuous. However, if an officer suspects that it is infused with illegal substances, it can cause problems for you.

Should you feel the need to carry hemp candies on board, it is best to keep them in their original packaging.

• Can I take CBD capsules with no THC on a plane?

Depending on the TSA officer on duty, your CBD capsules may be allowed on the plane if you openly declare what they are. If they have been prescribed to you, be sure to present the said prescription at the checkpoint. Present the CoA or other proof that the product is THC-free.

• Can you fly into Mexico with CBD?

CBD is now legal in Mexico so you can fly into the country with your hemp product. However, be advised that THC laws are still in place. All products that exceed the limit will be considered contraband.