Anywhere you look, chances are that you’ve come across a CBD product. These days there are an ever-growing number of products that contain CBD, including oils, tinctures, topical lotions, and even edibles, such as CBD gummies, chocolates, and drinks. So why have CBD products skyrocketed in popularity and availability?
The Farm Bill, which was passed in 2018, legalized the sale of hemp, which includes CBD products that contain less than 0.3% of THC. Even though the bill has been passed for almost two years, there’s still a lot of confusion about the legality of CBD products, including whether or not they can be safely and legally taken onto an airplane.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of flying with CBD gummies so that you can travel without legal concerns.
CBD 101
Before you can understand the laws that deal with CBD products, it’s important to understand what CBD is, how they’re made, and how CBD can impact you.
To get started, CBD, which is also known as cannabidiol, is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in the hemp and cannabis plants. While CBD is a cannabinoid, not all of them are created equally. THC, which also occurs in the cannabis plant, is known for its psychoactive effects, which create the feeling of being high and euphoric.
But, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, so you won’t feel altered in any way. So no matter if you consume a CBD edible, use a topical lotion, drink a CBD latte, or ingest CBD oil, you don’t have to worry about feeling high.
So what can you expect from CBD? People use CBD in order to treat a variety of common health issues including:
- Aches and pains
- High stress levels
- Anxiety and depression
- Inflammation
- Poor sleep quality
Studies have also shown that CBD may be effective in protecting the brain, improving heart health, and even for treating acne.
Where Does CBD Come From?
As discussed earlier, CBD comes from either the cannabis or the hemp plant. Many companies, such as those that offer CBD gummies, derive their CBD from the hemp plant because it has little to no THC content. Remember, products must have less than 0.3% THC in order to be considered legal on the federal level.
Companies may also use cannabis plants in order to extract CBD. But because the cannabis plant has a lot of THC content, it’s all but certain that CBD extracted from the plant will have a higher level of THC when compared to CBD derived from the hemp plant.
Can I Legally Fly with CBD Gummies?
Now that you know what CBD is and how it’s extracted, you may still be wondering whether or not it’s legal to fly with CBD gummies.
The most recent guidance from the TSA states that it’s entirely legal to fly with a hemp-derived CBD product, since these products have little to no THC. TSA guidance also states that any FDA approved drugs that contain CBD can also be legally brought onto a plane.
In the medical world, CBD has been used to create pharmaceutical drugs that can be used to treat seizures, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and other health conditions. Since these drugs are regulated by the FDA, passengers must be allowed to bring them on the flight.
However, this is where the guidance can get a little bit tricky. While hemp-derived CBD products are allowed, those that are derived from cannabis are still considered to be illegal in many states. This means it’s only legal to travel with cannabis-derived CBD when you have a state-requested medical marijuana card because it likely contains a higher amount of THC. Many state marijuana cards can be re-used in a different state, for example, a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card can be used in the state of California.
TSA & CBD Products
TSA doesn’t actively search passengers for CBD products. Instead, they search each passenger’s bags for any items that may be a threat to other passengers or the aircraft. TSA’s guidelines explicitly state that they aren’t searching bags and luggage looking for drugs. They’re more likely to be looking for weapons, sharp items, and hazardous materials.
However, if the TSA does find any kind if illicit substance in your carry-on bag or checked luggage, law enforcement will be contacted in order to take appropriate action. But, this begs the question, is CBD considered an illicit substance? This is truly a gray area.
As of right now, neither the TSA nor law enforcement have the necessary equipment available in order to test whether a CBD product is derived from hemp or cannabis. In any event, if you plan to travel with CBD gummies, you can prevent most worries by choosing a brand that derives its CBD from hemp.
The Dos and Don’ts of Traveling with CBD
Planning an upcoming flight and want to take your CBD gummies with you? Here are some travel tips that you’ll want to follow.
Buy Quality CBD Products
Before traveling with any CBD product, you need to know all of the ingredients. When purchasing a CBD product, the first thing you want to check is where the CBD is derived from. It’s always safest to buy products that use hemp-derived CBD. This way, you can avoid the risk of breaking any local cannabis laws.
You’ll also want to look at the product’s third party lab testing report, which will detail how much THC the product contains. Even if the label says THC free, you want to see confirmation from an unbiased third party. The key here is to make sure that the THC level isn’t above 0.3%.
Know Your Destination’s Laws
One of the first things you’ll want to do before packing any CBD product with you on a flight is to check your destination’s laws and regulations about CBD. For example, if you’re traveling to a different state, you’ll want to check to see if the state allows both hemp- and cannabis-derived CBD, or if only hemp-derived CBD has been legalized.
In some states, the use and sale of hemp and cannabis products is regulated. Take some time to do some research, and if you have any questions, contact local law enforcement in order to get answers to any questions you may have.
Avoid CBD Products on International Flights
If you’re traveling internationally, you don’t want to risk flying with a CBD product. While CBD products are legal in many states and on the federal level in the U.S., rules and regulations are extremely fuzzy in other countries. For example, some places don’t differentiate between CBD and THC, while others do.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. So if you’re traveling abroad, you’ll want to keep your CBD at home.
Conclusion
Flying with CBD gummies seems ideal, right? CBD can ease flight jitters as well as pain from sitting in a cramped airplane seat. But, before you pack your CBD gummies, you’ll want to keep this information in mind.
