Whether for work or for pleasure, travel is a fundamental part of modern life. That doesn’t mean travel is getting any easier. These days, flying has become increasingly stressful, with crowded airports, longer wait times in longer lines, ever-changing security protocols, and increased delays and cancellations by the airlines.
No doubt, travel-related stress is a major cause of anxiety for so many. Add to that any additional concern for those of us who use CBD products at home. Perhaps you would like to continue using your favorite CBD product on vacation, or maybe you find CBD helps you be in top form during a business trip. Some travelers express worry about bringing CBD onto the plane, while other travelers are openly using CBD to help calm their nerves during a long journey.
This post intends to clear up any uncertainties around traveling with CBD in order to understand current US regulations and reduce any worry or feelings of insecurity.
Can You Travel with CBD Oil in the US?
Yes, you can travel with CBD oil in the United States. That’s because CBD oil—like all CBD products—is federally legal. To clarify, federally legal does not equate to a specific product being “approved by the FDA”, but rather that CBD products are legal in federal airspace, even when flying between two different states. The same goes for driving—you are allowed to cross state borders with CBD products, as long as the CBD contains less than 0.3 percent THC.
As a quick reminder, CBD was federally legalized in 2018 with the Farm Bill, which specifies that any hemp-derived products are legal—as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This includes any hemp-derived CBD oils that adhere to these specifications set by the US government.
What is not allowed is traveling with illegal drugs of any kind, either by plane or car. Thus, when traveling with CBD, it’s important to be confident that the products you are carrying only contain legal ingredients that fall within federal guidelines.
How to Travel with CBD Oil
When it comes to traveling with CBD oil, knowledge is power. Remember that current TSA regulations require any liquids carried on to the plane to be packaged in containers up to 3.4 fluid ounces (100 ml). Thus, if your CBD oil or topical creams are packaged in larger volumes, then you must pack them in your checked luggage.
If you decide to check bags with CBD, then it’s especially important that all of your CBD products follow the legal definition per federal legislation. Remember that the TSA reserves the right to search any bag and that traveling with uncertain substances may be cause for increased scrutiny.
Thus, packing travel-sized CBD oil in your carry-on is probably the safest way to fly with CBD. Traveling with certified and clearly-labelled CBD products will also grant you the confidence that you are abiding by federal law. Though it’s not likely anybody will question you about the CBD products you are carrying, the choice to only use high-quality, tested and certified CBD products will grant you the peace of mind that you are not carrying any potentially illegal substances.
Travel Confidently With CBD
Though CBD products are legal at a federal level, too many travelers continue to wonder and ask, “Can You Travel with CBD Oil in the US?” While the easy answer is “Yes, of course you can travel with CBD oil in the US”, the more nuanced answer includes a bit of small print
Always remember that in order to safely travel with any CBD product, it must contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This applies to CBD oil the same as it does CBD creams, capsules, and so on. The key to traveling with CBD is to know that you are carrying products that contain legally-defined CBD and not any other ingredients which could be construed as illegal drugs.
To sum it all up, you are allowed to travel with CBD oil in the US, but should there ever arise a question as to the contents of said product, then the burden of proof lies on you, the traveler, to show that the product does in fact contain only legal CBD. Before choosing to travel with CBD, make sure that the product is exactly what the label claims it to be. That way you can travel confidently, knowing you are following federal guidelines, which should also help to lessen any travel-related anxiety.
