Many people use CBD oil as a daily supplement to feel relaxed, relieve pain, and alleviate anxiety. Therefore, you may not think twice about packing your CBD oil to take with you when traveling. However, before you put your CBD in your suitcase or carry-on bag, first read these must-know tips and rules about traveling and flying with CBD oil.

TSA Guidelines: Do Not Fly with CBD Oil

Despite the clear and legal status of hemp and its extracts, which came about with the signing of the 2018 Farm BIll, the TSA guidelines on this are very clear – and CBD oil is unfortunately still not allowed. While CBD can be sold legally and shipped across state lines, it still cannot be traveled with per TSA rules. According to TSA’s website, it says:

“Possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products, such as Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, is illegal under federal law. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law, including possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products.”

There are three points that should be noted here:

• as stated above, the legal status of hemp is incredibly clear: “[...] any part of the plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” (SEC 297A)
• federal law states that interstate commerce and transportation of hemp and hemp products should not be interrupted (SEC 10114 (b))
• CBD has been completely removed from the DEA’s controlled substances list

Despite all of these points, there has been little to no effort to re-educate law enforcement in regards to hemp and how this ruling impacts existing legislation. As is obvious by the TSA’s current view on CBD, this is not a stance that is likely to change any time soon. Due to the molasses-like nature of bureaucracy and a seeming refusal to get with the times, we have to advocate caution when traveling with CBD.     

Flying Internationally with CBD Oil is Very Risky

Bringing CBD oil on international flights is even riskier with tighter security measures in place. While some countries are more relaxed than others on this matter, some nations may impose prison sentences and even the death penalty for cannabis possession.

Therefore, it is never advised to fly internationally with any potentially illegal substance, even if it is a non-psychoactive product such as CBD. Even if you read up on international laws first, and think it may be OK, the truth is that it’s not worth getting in trouble for.

Options for Traveling with CBD Oil

Now that we know that flying with CBD oil carries risks that are not worth taking, what are your other options?

For starters, you can take a CBD capsule, tincture, gummy or other CBD edible before you arrive at the airport, assuming you'll be waiting less than two hours before your flight departs. This will help alleviate any anxiety you have around flying, relieve the stress of traveling, and help you nap during your flight.

Another alternative is to research reputable shops at your destination where you can purchase good quality CBD oil. This way, you can enjoy your daily dose of CBD during your trip. Just make sure not to pack it in your bags when traveling back home, or bring it with you to other destinations if your trip includes multiple stops.

If you are traveling domestically within the U.S., you can also consider mailing your CBD oil ahead of time to the location where you’ll be staying.

The Future of Flying with CBD Oil

With CBD products gaining in mainstream popularity and generating wide acceptance from the medical community, it’s only a matter of time until these travel restrictions may one day be lifted. As the legalization of CBD spreads out to more countries around the world, it’s expected that we’ll see more lenient regulations in the future. However, for the time being, if you are wondering if you can fly with CBD oil, it is advisable to abide by the rules currently in place.