According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the body that regulates public transportation in the U.S., including air travel, it matters whether your CBD products are derived from hemp or from marijuana.
The federal 2018 Farm Bill lifted hemp from the list of controlled substances, reclassifying it as an agricultural commodity. Hemp has less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC), the psychoactive agent in marijuana. Marijuana generally has more – a lot more, sometimes hovering in the area of 30%.
Travelers are permitted to bring products that contain no more than the 0.3% THC threshold with the exception of those approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). For those carrying CBD oil, it is wise to pack it in a carry-on and with other liquids that are under the 3.4-ounce limitation. Also, taking along a copy of each product’s third-party lab report is a good idea.
Travelers cannot, however, pack CBD products with THC levels higher than 0.3% – that includes CBD oil. The TSA treats those the same as it would marijuana. Should a TSA agent find such products, the agency will contact local law enforcement. Plus, inconsistent state and local laws regarding CBD and cannabis-derived products complicate matters. It’s a good idea to know the local laws of your destination – as well as your home city.
For those traveling internationally, it’s probably best to not even attempt to bring CBD products with you. It’s very risky. The wide range of regulation of cannabis-derived substances outside of U.S. borders makes carrying CBD unpredictable. In nations where hemp and marijuana are strictly regulated, possession or transport of hemp products could draw hefty criminal consequences.