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Must-Know Tips For Bringing CBD Oil On A Plane
CBD may be a non-psychoactive component of cannabis that is used for medicinal purposes, but the plant itself is still prohibited federally. With that said, here are some tips to be familiar with if you plan to travel with CBD oil on a plane.
As of 2017, a total of 29 states have implemented medical marijuana in the US, and this includes the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. However, federal regulations still classify cannabis as a Schedule I illicit drug, which means that there remains a myriad of restrictions surrounding the use of the plant. In Europe, cannabis laws vary from one country to another, but the most lenient ones are the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, to name a few.
One of the issues cannabis users face in light of these federal laws is having cannabis in their possession while on a plane. While it may be understandable for actual buds to raise suspicion, many wonder where non-psychoactive, therapeutic CBD oil falls when it comes to restrictions on cannabis. In this article, we delve deeper into transporting CBD onto a plane, and offer some information you must know if you plan on doing so.
REASONS FOR FLYING WITH CBD
Before deciding on a whim to bring CBD with you on your air travels, it’s important to establish your reason for doing so. After all, having any form of cannabis on you could result in you receiving much more interrogation or attention than you want. Most people who choose to fly with CBD do so in order to not be without their medicinal supplement.
CBD is used to alleviate various forms of pain and discomfort, and it’s no secret that CBD is testing positively as a legitimate treatment for conditions of varying severities. As such, many individuals may not want to relinquish this healthful regimen when they’re travelling. Further still, others actually use CBD for the express purpose of alleviating flying anxiety naturally, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals like benzodiazepines.
Whatever your reason may be, it ideally must be “valid enough” for you to put yourself at risk of catching heat from law enforcement on the hunt for illicit substances. In this event, having a good reason to backup your decision can’t hurt.
FEDERAL LAW SPECIFICATIONS
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognises non-psychoactive CBD products, so when it comes to travelling with CBD oil, it must have a THC content below 0.3% to be cleared. With that said, users are advised to purchase their merchandise exclusively from a reputable company with a Certificate of Analysis from a reliable laboratory that explicitly outlines the content of your product.
According to Transport Security Administration (TSA) regulations, they are required to report any suspected violations of law if they encounter one. In most cases, however, TSA agents usually let these issues slide, especially if the person in question has proof of being a medical cannabis patient on his or her possession.
To err on the side of caution, it would be safer to purchase products with no mention of THC whatsoever. Even if the THC content is below 0.3%, it can still help avoid attracting any unwanted attention.
FLYING INTERNATIONALLY WITH CBD OIL
In places like the US where many states now allow for medicinal and recreational CBD, you would think it would be easy to jet from one state to another with your cannabis on hand. This is not the case, unfortunately. Even if you’re flying from one legal state to another, for example, from Oregon to nearby California, you still are prohibited from bringing any psychoactive cannabis on board, and may even be penalised for certain CBD-rich products. International flights are even more complicated.
Since you will be crossing from one country to another, you can rightfully expect tighter security measures. Governments can easily get involved, which can put you in serious situations with the law. Some countries are more lax than others, with certain territories sustaining major prison sentences and even the death penalty for cannabis possession. So make your decision wisely.
This is why it is never advised to fly internationally with any potentially illegal substance, even if it is a non-psychoactive product such as CBD. You can do your due diligence and read up on international laws, but generally, it is not something worth getting in trouble for.
IN CONCLUSION
Cannabis may be starting to gain recognition as a wonder herb that combats a variety of diseases and ailments, but the reality is, it still bears the negative stigma that has lambasted its reputation for decades. Unfortunately, this prejudice isn’t just toward THC, but the cannabis plant as a whole.
As legalization further spreads around the world, we may see more lenient regulations in the future, especially regarding CBD and medicinal users. But for the time being, it would be best to simply abide by the laws that are currently in place.
