If you are planning a trip, you may be wondering, am I allowed to take my CBD with me? Where should I pack it?Â
Let’s have a look at international and TSA guidelines.
Are you able to take your CBD on holiday with you in 2022?
Even if CBD doesn’t seem to be something you rely on in your everyday life, CBD can make a great companion for travel. It helps to ease nerves and relieve pain from sitting in a car or plane for prolonged periods.
So, the question remains: Can you travel with CBD?
Unfortunately, the answer is not so simple. It all depends upon where you plan to travel to and which CBD product you use.
Traveling with CBD?
While there are no across-the-board international laws regarding CBD, there are varying laws in different states and countries that you should be aware of.
Further, there are often contradictory and confusing rules around CBD, which is why there is so much confusion when it comes down to legality.
In 2019, for example, a 69-year-old lady was arrested at Disney World Florida for having CBD oil in her purse. She was held for 15 hours while she waited for the charges to be dropped.
Domestic Travel and CBD
If you know the legality of CBD in your state, you shouldn’t have any trouble traveling with it. However, if you are planning on traveling out of state, it is best to check the laws in the state you are planning to travel to our traveling through.
Hemp-Derived CBD
The 2018 Farm Bill has made hemp-derived CBD federally legal. However, due to the varying state laws around CBD, this still does not mean that you can freely travel with it.
Furthermore, in some states like Idaho and South Dakota, full-spectrum CBD (containing less than 0.3% THC) is illegal and is a schedule IV controlled substance.
However, the problems don’t end there.Â
Many states’ health departments have also restricted certain CBD products. Most commonly, they placed restrictions on CBD-infused beverages and food.
You can review individual state laws here on the NORML website.
Traveling with CBD: International Travel
It can be difficult to travel internationally with CBD because CBD isn’t legal everywhere and THC limits differ from one country to the next.
Traveling with CBD – North America Travel tips
Canada has legalized cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes. Therefore, there are no restrictions on the use of any CBD.Â
Mexico, however, allows CBD for medical purposes only.Â
Furthermore, CBD isn’t legal in Jamaica and Costa Rica. However, it has been removed from criminal records in these countries. Moreover, CBD is prohibited in all other North American countries not listed.
Traveling with CBD – Europe
CBD is legal in France as well as the UK. The UK allows products with as much as 1mg THC per container or bottle.
In addition, CBD products are restricted in Austria and Luxembourg to 0.3% THC. In Switzerland, CBD products may contain as much as 1% THC.
The Netherlands is a pro-cannabis nation, but CBD products may only contain 0.05% THC. You should leave your CBD products at home if you are planning to travel to Slovakia or Lithuania during your next vacation as it is still illegal.
Furthermore, other European countries that have banned CBD are Armenia, Andorra, Albania Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Montenegro, and Monaco.
Lastly, other than the ones already mentioned, many EU countries allow full-spectrum products containing up to 0.2% THC. It is worth checking the status of laws before you travel, as they are always changing.
Traveling with CBD – Australia
Similar to the US, different states may have different laws. However, CBD for medical use is now legal in all 50 states, as long as it does not contain more than 2% other cannabinoids.
Traveling with CBD – Asia
The majority of Asia has very strict laws regarding CBD.Â
In some cases, the punishments can be quite harsh. India was once completely CBD-friendly. However, they are now tightening their laws.Â
The rise of Covid saw CBD legalized in Thailand, perhaps to attract tourists. It is important to note that It must not contain more than 0.2% THC.
CBD is not considered a controlled substance in Taiwan. It is legal in Japan, Hong Kong, and Japan as long as it does not contain THC.
When it comes to countries in Asia that have explicitly banned CBD these are the ones to look out for:Â Â
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Indonesia
- Bhutan
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgystan
- Lebanon
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Mongolia
- North Korea
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- UAE
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Timor-Leste
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
Furthermore, most other Asian countries allow CBD only for medicinal purposes, and some exist in a gray area.Â
There are some harsh punishments for violating the law in some Asian countries, so if you do take it with you, make sure it’s THC-free and consider carrying a doctor’s note.
Traveling with CBD – Central and South America
You must ensure that the package clearly states “hemp-derived” if you plan to travel with CBD to Mexico. Both Uruguay and Colombia have legalized CBD, which allows CBD products to contain up to 1% THC.
The following are countries that have banned CBD entirely: Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname.
Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay all have medicinal use only laws. In addition, some require you to register as a medical patient in their county prior to traveling.Â
Traveling with CBD – Africa
South Africa permits you to consume 20mg CBD per day. This CBD must not contain more than 0.001% THC or 0.0075% total CBD.
CBD can only be used for medical purposes in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. CBD is illegal in many African countries. Furthermore, you could face a large fine or even imprisonment for possession.
Traveling with CBD – Flying
No matter where are traveling, you may be considering catching a flight to your destination. If you have anxiety about flying, taking CBD edibles on the plane can help a lot.Â
So, you may be wondering, is it okay to take your CBD on the plane with you?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), medical marijuana and CBD-derived products can be carried in checked or carry-on luggage. However, there are specific instructions for medical marijuana.
TSA insists that its screening procedures are solely focused on aviation security and screening for explosives. If a TSA security officer finds your CBD or cannabis during a routine search, and you are flying to a country or state where it is illegal, they will refer the matter to law enforcement officers.
Traveling with CBD: Is It Legal to Fly with CBD Flower?
TSA will allow you to fly with your CBD flower as long as it is legal in the country or state you are flying to. You should, however, bring with you lab reports to prove that your CBD flower contains less THC than 0.3% just in case.
Traveling with CBD – Can You Fly with Delta-8 THC?
Flying with Delta-8 THC is a bit more complicated. This is because although it is often hemp-derived, it is still a THC product and some states have completely outlawed D8 THC.
Furthermore, it is important to check the laws in the state or country you are traveling to regarding delta-8 THC.
In addition, some airlines have banned delta-8 from their flights, so be sure to check the airline and go from there.
Traveling with CBD – 3 Essential Tips
- To ensure that you are not violating any laws by entering with controlled substances, make sure to check the specific rules and restrictions in each country.
- For domestic travel and to ensure legality at the federal level, you should choose CBD products made from high-quality hemp and under 0.3% THC. Be sure to follow the most current guidelines for international travel.
- Lastly, be sure to only buy products from trusted and reliable sources that offer a Certificate Of Analysis. To prove that CBD gummies and tinctures are legally compliant, you can print a CoA and take it with you.
