Holiday Travel with CBD
Holiday fun, social events and tradition are upon us, and even when we love it all, the holidays can also be stressful. Luckily, we have options that help us deal with those anxious moments… for some that includes CBD oil and gel capsules. The question is, if you are traveling, can you take your CBD with you? The answer should be simple, but here are some points to consider…
You are flying home for the holidays… can you bring your CBD oil or other products with you? This can depend on your destination. If traveling within the U.S.A., you will likely be fine if your cannabidiol product contains no more than 0.3% THC. In May 2019, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) changed their rules regarding CBD from not allowing any cannabis products to:
Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA. (See the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334.) TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state or federal authorities.
TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.
If traveling out of the United States, you must check with the country you are traveling to. Although the European Union’s policy states industrial hemp is legal and products with no more than 0.2% of THC are allowed, each country can still have its own domestic laws around cannabis. As an example, the UK’s laws line up with the EU, but in Germany it is a bit murky. CBD is available at German pharmacy’s, but you may not be allowed to bring it in with you. You would likely be wise to purchase your CBD in Germany.
What about our neighbors to the north? After all, Canada has legalized marijuana for adults… but the answer just might surprise you… It is absolutely illegal to take any cannabis across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country. If caught, you could be charged with a criminal offence. This includes edible cannabis, cannabis topicals and cannabis extracts, as well as any products containing CBD, regardless of the level of THC.
One example to offer in-regards to the hazards of traveling to Canada with CBD involved my sister-in-law and her husband who drove to Trout Lake B.C. in October for their annual trip north, taking with them their legal dispensary purchased CBD oil and cream. The drive across the border went smoothly and on the way back home they sailed through the Canadian check-point, but when a U.S. Border Patrol officer saw their CBD cream in the car door pocket (they use it for arthritic knees), both the oil and cream were confiscated and they were levied a $500 fine. If the Canadian Border Services Agency officers had seen the CBD, there not only could have been a $500 fine, but also the possibility of being charged with a serious criminal offence, resulting in possible arrest and prosecution.*
A good rule of thumb for holiday travel would be: double check the rules of where you are traveling to, keep a lab report specific to your CBD on-hand if possible, and travel with CBD such as Resolve Naturals, which is well below the 0.3% or 0.2% at nontraceable levels of THC. Happy Holidays!
*https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/border.html
