Can I Fly With CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, has recently burst onto the health and wellness scene with great fanfare. Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill (which legalized hemp products, including CBD, that contains less than .3% THC), many are now able to purchase CBD in a wide variety of locations across the country.
This is exciting news as CBD is truly the “wonder supplement” that it is touted to be in many ways. Understandably then, many are very interested in CBD and interested in adding it as a daily supplement to their health and wellness routine. Increasingly, those who are doing so are finding that they feel better, have more energy, and have achieved a greater overall level of wellness and vitality.
While it is true that many people are becoming increasingly interested in CBD, it is also true that many are still uncertain as to the rules and regulations surrounding its use. While legalized at the federal level, many still wonder about the legality of CBD use on every level. Important to note that at this time CBD is not FDA approved to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease. One common question that is asked concerns the law applicable to traveling with CBD once you have begun to use it. Common questions include, “Are there any consequences if I travel with CBD?” And specifically, “Is there any risk to me personally from a legal perspective if I fly with CBD on my person or in my luggage?”
Flying with CBD – What You Need to Know
At The Wellest, we believe that all questions about CBD are understandable and certainly important to answer. The rules for traveling with CBD are no exception. We also believe that common misconceptions about the legality of CBD both generally and with respect to flying are in no small part due to the common but misplaced assumption that CBD and marijuana are essentially the same things. In fact, CBD and marijuana are quite different and interact quite differently in the body. CBD, when sourced from the hemp plant, contains trace or no amounts of THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in marijuana. Thus, while both products have medicinal qualities, CBD has no psychoactive effects.
In the United States, public transportation, including transportation within our airports, is regulated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA is a federal agency that is under the umbrella of the US Department of Homeland Security. TSA is responsible for maintaining the safety of travelers, and as a result, it prohibits certain items from being brought on board an aircraft. Medical marijuana falls within the list of products which are prohibited. As noted, because many commonly misassociate CBD with marijuana, the assumption is often made that traveling with CBD is also prohibited. Fortunately, this is not so.
Prior to the passage of the Farm Bill of 2018, CBD was, in fact, listed as a prohibited item onboard an aircraft. However, since the passage of the Farm Bill, CBD has been approved. Specifically, TSA states on its website that “Products/medications that contain hemp-derived CBD or are approved by the FDA are legal as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.“
As a result, those wishing to bring CBD on a plane are able to do so provided that the CBD is derived from hemp and contains less than .3% THC as prescribed by the law. The flip side of the coin, understandably, is that CBD that is derived from marijuana and contains a higher level of THC is not allowed.
This is why it is particularly important to purchase your CBD from a provider that can assure you that the product you are purchasing contains little to no THC. At The Wellest, we are proud to offer a 100% THC-free guarantee for all of our products. We understand that those who wish to use CBD may not want to consume THC for whatever personal, religious, or work-related reasons are applicable. That is why our high-tech extraction and purification process ensures that our customers receive a pure, potent, and 100% THC-free product every time. Furthermore, every batch of CBD oil we purchase is tested by our supplier and then we send it out a second time to a 3rd party laboratory to make sure our products are safe, free of pesticides and contain zero THC.
Other Helpful Travel Tips
Despite understanding these federal rules, it can be helpful to follow these other tips for traveling with CBD:
- Research the states you are traveling to and from: Now that hemp-derived CBD is legal under federal law, some travelers automatically assume they can go to and from any state without concern. However, certain states have strict laws against CBD – regardless of its source. So it is important to verify the laws in the state you are going to as well as the state you’re coming from.
- Verify that your CBD, in fact, contains the appropriate amount of THC: Unfortunately, poor manufacturing processes can occasionally lead to inaccurately labeled THC content. It is important to verify than any CBD product you travel with contains the requisite .3% or less THC. It might be wise to print out the product’s lab reports and have them available at TSA screening and during your flight in case they are required. A reputable supplier of CBD has lab reports readily available on their website and or on a QR code on the packaging.
- Properly pack your product: Like any other liquid-based product, CBD products must meet the requirements outlined by TSA. This means that the product must contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid in each carry-on bag.
- Check international rules: This article primarily applies to travel within the United States. If you intend to travel internationally, regulations and laws regarding hemp and marijuana products may be different. It is important to thoroughly research the laws of the country you intend to travel to in order to be certain you are following the rules of that jurisdiction.
Ultimately, CBD may be a beneficial supplement to your health and wellness routine, regardless of where you are – or where you’re traveling to.
