You’ve got an important business trip coming up in Chicago, and you’re going to need your CBD oil to help you make it through those awful meetings with the board of directors. Do you take it with you, or leave it at home? Can you even take your CBD oil on the plane?
It’s time we clear the air about this frequently-asked question once and for all. Here’s your definitive guide to taking CBD oil on a plane in the US.
The Short Answer
The short answer is that yes, you can take your CBD oil on a plane. The TSA explicitly says that you can bring CBD on a plane provided it meets the requirements of the law. That being said, let’s take a look at CBD’s legal status and differentiate it from its not-so-legal cousin, THC.
Legality
CBD is legal, but it must meet certain requirements to be considered so. According to the federal guidelines, which don’t necessarily apply to the states because each state has different laws, CBD must be sourced from hemp containing 0.3% or less THC. Since THC is present in hemp, there is often an extra refining step required to remove it.
CBD wasn’t always legal, and in fact, has only just recently been legalized by the Trump administration. 2018’s Farm Bill legalized the growth, cultivation, and sale of hemp and hemp-based products, provided they follow the guidelines.
Even though several states have legalized other hemp and Cannabis-derived substances, that doesn’t mean they’re legal at the federal level. The TSA is a federal agency, so even if CBD, THC, and all Cannabis products are legal in your state, that doesn’t mean you can bring them on a plane.
Anything containing over that 0.3% THC content will be confiscated if you try to bring it on the plane, and you could very well be subjected to federal prosecution. Don’t do it!
Researching Your Destination
Now that we better understand the complex legality of CBD, let’s talk about the destination. Where are you flying to? If you’re flying within the US, you shouldn’t run into any trouble if you’re carrying CBD oil. In fact, most of North America, including Mexico and Canada, have legalized CBD provided it meets certain requirements (Mexico’s THC requirement is less than 1%).
Some states have different laws regarding CBD, so even though it’s legal at the federal level, there could be state-specific regulations on it that you’re unaware of. It’s important to research the law wherever you’re planning to visit.
This is especially true if you’re planning to leave the country. While many South American and European countries are CBD-friendly, most of Asis is not, with South Korea so far being the only Asian country to legalize the compound for personal use.
The worst thing you can do is fly to another country, unaware of the CBD laws, and end up getting detained or even prosecuted for bringing it with you. Always. Do. Your. Research.
Do You Need Your CBD on the Plane?
A good question to ask before you travel anywhere is if you actually need your CBD on the plane. Is it really so bad to just buy CBD when you arrive at your destination? Whether you use CBD oil for sleep, pain, or managing anxiety, sometimes it’s just better to leave it at home. There is still a minor risk of being held at the airport for having CBD.
If you’re unsure of your destination’s rules on CBD, it’s a good idea to just leave it behind. You wouldn’t want to risk arrest or prosecution for bringing an illegal substance into another country or state. CBD is an amazing compound, but it still carries with it certain stigmas, and some of the world’s regions aren’t quite ready to accept its legal status.
High-Quality CBD
The kind of CBD you’re buying can make all the difference. Buying cheap knock-off brands is a good way to get CBD that’s not refined properly, and you can risk getting a higher dose of THC in your oil. This not only makes it illegal, but you could experience some of the effects of THC from it. Always choose a brand that uses high-quality, USA-grown industrial hemp to source its CBD. Make sure the product is labeled correctly and accurately as well.
The Take-Away
Yes, CBD is legal to take on an airplane, but you need to consider a few things first. Your CBD oil should be within the federal guidelines for THC content, and you should always research your destination’s laws regarding CBD. Don’t risk being detained or prosecuted if you don’t know what the laws are. You can always buy some CBD when you arrive anyway, and if it’s illegal where you’re going, you’ve saved yourself potential trouble from the law. Happy travels!
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