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Everything You Need to Know About Flying with CBD Oil
You need to make sure you know the laws before you travel with CBD. Here is everything you need to know about flying with CBD oil.
CBD oil is a health supplement godsend for many of us. it’s still not easily available all over, so you’ll want to take it will you when you travel. To have all the health benefits of CBD without facing expensive confiscation or legal concerns, read our guide on flying with CBD oil.
Traveling with CBD Oil in 2019
It’s easier to buy CBD oil than ever. Perhaps you use it for a medical concern or to relieve daily stress. Now, CBD is derived from hemp instead of cannabis, but the law isn’t as clear on this distinction as many of us might like it to be.
Technically, being a hemp derivative, you should be allowed to take it across state lines. Even if marijuana isn’t legal in your destination.
Traveling by Land
If you’re driving within state lines, you shouldn’t have a problem taking CBD in a car, bus or train. States only recently saw a change in 50 states to allow hemp and hemp products, so law enforcement officers in more conservative states might still give you a hard time. You may want to take a printout about the law with you, and some other documentation we’ll look at in just a minute. Consulting with a hemp and cannabis law firm, like Hoban Law, will be the most effective way to get up to date information.
Keep in mind, that while many states permit CBD, under federal law possession of THC dominant cannabis products is still illegal and this confuses some authorities. In short, intrastate travel by car, bus or train should be doable. Crossing state lines can get tricky and might require a bit of educating about CBD oil being a hemp derivative.
Flying with CBD Oil
If considering flying with CBD oil, there are two types of travel to consider: domestic and international. The recommendation for each is slightly different.
Flying Domestically with CBD Oil
To know just what you can and can’t do with CBD if flying, let’s defer to the TSA. On their website, the TSA says that possession of marijuana and cannabis-infused products like CBD is ‘illegal under federal law’. That means TSA officers are required by law to report any activity they suspect to be a violation.
They also have to inform local law enforcement if they’ve found these products as part of the screening process. From there, it can depend a bit on luck and a lot on that state’s attitudes to cannabis products. If you’re not breaking state laws, police will generally just ask you to dispose of the products before passing screening.
If it’s a state where cannabis still isn’t legal, you can be charged for the crime.
Flying Internationally with CBD Oil
For the moment, it’s best to not even contemplate flying internationally with CBD. You’re no longer dealing with fellow-American law officers and you may be far from the embassy. Some countries have zero tolerance for cannabis possession.
You could get jail time for even a tiny amount of CBD oil.
How Can I Prepare to Travel with It?
If you’re traveling within state lines by bus, car or train, keep your CBD oil in your hand-luggage so you can care for it. You’ve seen attendants throw luggage without a lot of care and that could result in broken packaging. Roll some soft clothing or a small towel around your products to help absorb impact.
You can even reuse packaging from a recent delivery to help you out.
If it’s a flight, we’ve seen it’s better to err on the side of not taking it. You can take your CBD oil right before passing security, so you still get a calming benefit for your flight. If you absolutely cannot be without your CBD while you’re away, do some rigorous research before you go.
Check out the state laws for where you are traveling to. If the state you’re traveling to has dispensaries you could buy from on arrival, get in contact to find out what documentation they’ll need from you. It’s a good idea to make a note of who you spoke to so you can refer to the call should any issues pop up once at the dispensary.
They may need something specific from your doctor. Give yourself time before the trip to have all this organized and in place. If there are no dispensaries where you’re going, some people opt to mail their CBD to the destination ahead of them.
This has its own risks, but some see it as far less risky than transporting it with them if flying.
Picking Your Product for Traveling
If you decide that traveling with CBD is low-risk or legal for your travel route, there’s still some more things to keep in mind. Choose edibles like gummies over big containers of liquid. If you vape, remember you’ll need to keep it in your carry on as these can’t be stored in checked baggage.
Storing CBD While Traveling
You might be traveling to a location that’s warmer and sunnier than what you’re used to – let’s hope so! Store your CBD in a cool, dark place, preferably away from humidity or other moisture. If it’s left in the sun or direct heat it can harm the natural ingredients and that may reduce their effectiveness.
Have Documentation on You at All Times
No matter where you’re traveling, it’s smartest to have documentation with you. A prescription, a doctors’ letter, or anything that supports your use of CBD. Anything that supports your use of CBD for health or medical issue is likely to work in your favor.
Also, take any ingredient list or company report that proves your CBD is derived from legal hemp, not marijuana. This can be especially helpful to argue that it’s legal to transport it.
Stay Calm
It’s a bit nerve-wracking being questioned by law officers or TSA officers. Remember to breathe, stay calm, and answer their questions clearly and politely. It’s not personal, they’re just doing their job.
Your job is to help them understand why you need it and how you use it. They’re just trying to uphold the law, and protect the community. If you make it clear you’re not doing anything illegal or unsafe, that this is a supplement that helps you relax and reduce pain, they’ll be likely to wave you through.
They may ask you to dispose of the product even if they do take kindly to your reasoning, so be prepared for that.
Now You’re Ready for Flying with CBD Oil!
Now you know the answer about flying with CBD oil. If it’s international, leave it at home. If it’s a domestic flight, take it beforehand, or take precautions and documentation.
Traveling by land can be easier. In any case, remember documentation that supports its use for your health, and that underlines the key ingredient as a hemp derivative not a cannabis one. If you’re ready to buy some high-quality CBD – for traveling or home, check out our website today!
