Last Updated: November 17, 2023
Can You Fly With Weed? Here’s What You Need To Know
The world of Marijuana has changed a lot recently Various US states have legalised recreational weed. Countries such as Holland and Portugal have also decriminalized.
Table Of Contents
Show All
And because weed is so popular and legal in so many places, the question of whether you can fly with weed is quite confusing!
The Simple Answer
- No, you cannot fly with weed.
- According to Federal Law, no one is allowed to possess marijuana on an airplane and this goes for medical marijuana too.
- You also cannot fly from states where marijuana is legal
If TSA security officers find marijuana in your possession, they are required to hand you over to local law enforcement under federal law. But, state laws are different; in some states, you won’t get into trouble.
What About In States Where it is Legal?
No, it is still illegal to travel with marijuana on a plane even in US states where it is legal. This is because Federal Law still deems marijuana possession in an airport or on a plane illegal in all states.
However, you can travel with products that contain 0.3 percent THC or less on a dry weight basis, or that are approved by FDA.
But, some states are making the laws more lenient.
Oregon
In Oregon, for example, if you are caught with marijuana but are flying within the state, the TSA will notify local law enforcement, who will then let you board the plane with your weed.
If you are flying from Oregon to another state, your weed will be confiscated, but you won’t be prosecuted.
Washington
Other states such as Washington will let you arrive with weed but will confiscate it if you are leaving the state.
LA and NYC
In LA and NYC, police will only take your marijuana if you have more than the state possession limit (1 oz in LA and 3 oz in NYC).
So, while Federal Law says no, state law says yes in some states where recreational weed is legal, which only makes traveling with weed even more confusing.
How Much Marijuana Can You Fly With?
It is technically illegal under Federal Law to travel with any amount of weed unless it contains 0.3 percent THC or less on a dry weight basis, or is approved by FDA.
You should be very careful when flying with weed into states where it is illegal, as law enforcement officials can give you a severe fine, jail time, and a criminal record.
When flying within or into states where marijuana is legal, never carry more marijuana than the legal possession limits. Under California Law, you can have a maximum of one ounce of marijuana with you, in New York, it’s 3 ounces.
Do not fly with weed out of or into states where it is illegal, as you never quite know how far a federal law enforcement officer is going to take your case. No one needs a record for weed!
Check the maximum possession amounts allowed in states where it is legal and travel with less weed than that, and you should be ok – but it is not guaranteed.
Where Should You Pack Your Weed?
TSA officers are not looking for marijuana, but it is still considered an illegal substance. So, having it out in the open is never a good idea, even in states where it is legal.
Don’t pack your weed in your checked baggage as the TSA often conducts random searches.
Bring your weed in a carry-on, even if it makes you nervous when passing the TSA officers.
If you are traveling with buds that smell, try to contain the smell somehow using a baggy. Then a good way to transport marijuana is an opaque ibuprofen bottle.
Put the weed at the bottom, add some cotton wool, fill it with the ibuprofen pills, and close the lid.
Leave the bottle with others in your carry-on so it doesn’t look suspicious.
Can Airport Security Detect Weed?
Airport security is designed to detect things that damage aircraft and cause harm to passengers. Therefore, the TSA’s screening procedures are focused on bombs, metal, and liquid bombs.
TSA screening procedures do not include scanning for illegal drugs of any kind, including other illegal drugs like cocaine.
But, if they search your bag and find weed, then the TSA officer has to hand it over to local police to make the decision.
Can You Fly with Edibles?
It is illegal to fly with any cannabis-infused products under federal law that have more than 0.3% THC or are not approved by the FDA, and this includes edibles.
Even if you are in the state where the edible was made and only flying within that state, it is technically illegal.
But, as I already mentioned, some states are far more lenient and chances are in
- New York
- California
- Washington
- Oregon
The local police won’t prosecute if you are found with edibles at the airport.
Can You Fly with CBD?
Yes, you can fly with CBD so long as it has 0.3% THC or less, but you have to follow the TSA liquids rule. This means you must have your CBD in containers of 3 oz (100 ml) or less, and they, plus all your other liquids, must fit inside a one-quart size plastic bag.
You can also put CBD in your checked baggage so long as it has less than 0.3% THC, but if you have a CBD pen, it must be in your carry-on as the lithium battery can catch fire.
Can You Fly with Vape Cartridges?
Again, if your vape cartridges contain more than 0.3% THC, then it is illegal to fly with them. If they contain 0.3% THC or less then you can take them on a plane, but you need to follow the liquids rule.
Make sure the Vape Cartridges are less than 100 ml/3 oz and fit in the one-quart size plastic bags for liquids.
Airports That Are Most Cannabis-Friendly
There are some airports that are more Cannabis-friendly and these include those listed below.
LAX, John Wayne Airport in Orange County, San Francisco International Airport, Logan International Airport in BostonSeattle-Tacoma International Airport, Oregon Airport, and New York airports.
In all of these airports, if you are found to be traveling in possession of the legal state limit of cannabis and are 21 you will either be allowed to travel with your marijuana or it will be taken away, but you won’t face any consequences, probably, it is not guaranteed.
But, you never know what will happen at the airport you are arriving at, so it is always a risk to travel with weed.
Airports That Are Least Cannabis-Friendly
Any state where cannabis is illegal is not going to tolerate anyone having it in their airports, so do not fly into or out of these states with weed unless you are willing to face some possibly serious consequences.
The airports of Colorado and Nevada, where weed is legal, are not cannabis friendly. At McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, if you are found with marijuana it will be confiscated and you will get a ticket.
In Colorado airports, you will be asked to throw your weed away if you are caught with it.
RELATED POSTS:
CAN YOU BRING LIGHTER ON A PLANE?
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
