Flying With CBD: Is It Safe To Travel With CBD?

Flying With CBD: Is It Safe To Travel With CBD?

CBD chocolate, CBD creams, CBD oils, and so many other products make this cannabinoid a buzz-worthy topic! But even today, when users are travelling, they ask themselves, ‘is it legal to travel with CBD?’ Especially when travelling by air, consumers worry if it is allowed to travel with CBD or not.

Why do people use CBD anyway?

CBD is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis or hemp plant and is known for its health benefits. This non-intoxicating substance is widely used in products, and millions of people all over the United States use it to enjoy the benefits. The CBD used in all the products available in the country comes from the hemp plant and not marijuana. The hemp plant is modified to have the intoxicating THC cannabinoid in a negligible amount of less than 0.3%.  

CBD products are a favorite item for consumers as it helps with various health conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, and depression or anxiety. The people who use this substance need to consume it regularly, and if travel comes up, they wish to carry it along so they can have it while they are away.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is scientifically researched to be helpful with arthritis, epileptic seizures, and several other disorders, and people who have these conditions need to use CBD daily. For such travelers, airport restrictions, flight permissions, and laws at their destination matter significantly!

Status of CBD in the USA

In the United States, CBD is allowed for medical purposes and is available all over the country. The Farm Bill of 2018 made a huge difference as it removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. The bill made it possible for hemp cultivation to be done in the United States, which further ensures that the quality and purity of the plant are excellent! Industrial hemp is very different from marijuana as it has a unique chemical composition. The intoxicating cannabinoid in marijuana is THC. It is this cannabinoid that leads to a ‘high’ feeling and intoxicates the senses. On the contrary, there is only 0.3% THC in the hemp plant, which is so less that it cannot be considered a threat to consumers! Many states have banned marijuana, but CBD use is allowed.

Today, CBD is legal all over the United States; however, each state has its laws. Some states have strict laws that dictate what type of CBD product can be used and which is prohibited. Some states allow CBD Oils, while others have a varying allowance of THC content. For example, Virginia allows FDA-approved products but maintains that these products must not have more than 0.5% THC, a little more than the federal law.

Local travel with CBD

Within the United States, federal law permits consumers to carry CBD products without any legal issue. Wherever you travel, the state laws must be considered to ensure that your CBD item matches the state allowance. For example, in South Carolina, CBD products with 0.3% THC are allowed, while medical CBD can be consumed with a restriction of 0.9% THC. If you carry CBD without a medical practitioner’s approval, the THC content must be below 0.3%.

The TSA guidelines further explain that CBD products can be carried while you travel, but these products should have less than 0.3% THC. If a person is travelling to South Carolina, they may be allowed by the state to carry products with 0.9% THC for medical use, but the TSA will not allow the product to pass the airport if it has more than 0.3% THC. This means that even if your doctor has allowed medical use, the CBD product you can carry must be with limited THC, as stated by the TSA.

International recognition and legality of CBD

If consumers travel internationally, they must bear in mind the legal status of CBD at their destination. Some countries allow CBD for recreational and medical purposes, such as Canada. Simultaneously, some countries allow only medical CBD, and some don’t allow CBD at all! Mexico permits CBD products for medical use while, Jamaica and Costa Rica have decriminalized CBD, but it is not legal.

Most Asian countries have banned CBD and do not allow consumers to bring CBD products. India allows CBD for recreational and medical purposes, while South Korea only prohibits medical CBD. Thailand does not allow a CBD supply of more than 30 days, and that also has to be an FDA-approved product.   

In Europe, CBD is allowed by the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Other countries have a restriction regarding THC content, FDA approval or recreational CBD. Similarly, you can carry CBD in Australia if you have a medical subscription or a practitioner’s recommendation.

All travelers who wish to take CBD products must first know the legal status of CBD at the destination. International travelers can face serious consequences if they do not follow the law of visiting countries.

Is CBD allowed on an Airplane?

As we discussed earlier, this depends on where you are going. Flying domestically or internationally may also dictate whether you can carry CBD or not. However, the airport authorities do not stop you from carrying CBD. If you are boarding a flight, be sure to keep your CBD product in the luggage as you do not want to raise suspicion of the airport staff and airplane crew. However, the personnel might raise questions if they are unaware of what the product contains. You can avoid these unnecessary confrontations by packing your CBD items in the luggage.

There are no legal issues if you carry cannabidiol products with you! However, for your convenience, some products may be more suitable for travel than others.

Conclusion

People who use CBD feel the benefits and therefore want to take it along if they are travelling. However, many users ask whether you can travel with CBD or not. If you are travelling domestically, you need to know the state's laws where you wish to visit.

Similarly, international travelers must know the law regarding CBD in the country where they are going. In the United States, CBD is legal, but some states have their rules and specifications regarding CBD items. Keeping these rules in mind, users can take their CBD supply along everywhere in the United States.