Planning a vacation in the near future? You’ll probably want to take your CBD oil or other CBD product(s) with you, but what are the rules regarding travel? Travel can be stressful enough without worrying about getting pulled aside for what’s in your carry-on bag. This blog will tell you about a A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling With CBD Oil.
CBD is legal at the federal level in the United States, but there are certain conditions that apply to the CBD regardless. Here we’ll talk about traveling with CBD oil, how you should handle being stopped by the TSA, and why researching where you’re going matter’s so much. Keep reading for the beginner’s guide to traveling with CBD oil.
Content Summary
The Legality
CBD was recently legalized in the United States on the federal level. Up until the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, hemp/CBD was considered to be controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Hemp itself was lumped together as a schedule 1 drug, next to the likes of heroin and methamphetamine.
The Farm Bill decriminalized the growth, cultivation, and sale of hemp and hemp-based products, provided the products remain under the threshold for THC content. On a dry-weight basis, this threshold is below 0.3% in the US. Each country has its own restrictions.
Know the Difference Between Full and Broad-Spectrum Products
What’s the best CBD oil? Do you know what broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil? Let’s clarify. Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains just about every cannabinoid found in the Cannabis plant except for THC, which is a psychoactive substance. This is the compound responsible for marijuana’s classic “high” feeling.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain all of those Cannabinoids, including THC, and are therefore illegal at the federal level. What does that mean for travel? You can’t take full-spectrum products on a plane. Be sure to check your labels and know the difference between the two, so you don’t get caught in an airport with THC-infused oils.
Be Aware of Where You’re Going
Perhaps the most important part of traveling with CBD is knowing the regulations where you’re going. If you’re traveling within the US or Canada, you shouldn’t run into any issues provided you’re staying within the law. This means no THC-infused oils. However, if you’re leaving the country, the laws change, and you could be headed somewhere with no CBD laws or very strict laws.
There are dozens of CBD-friendly countries, including France, the UK, Denmark, Mexico, and even South Korea. Although these places are considered “CBD-friendly”, each has its own restrictions on the THC content. In the US, the limit is 0.3%, but some places in Europe are as low as 0.2%. Mexico requires THC content to be under 1%.
It’s truly important to research your destination. The last thing you want is to take a wild guess and end up getting arrested, fined, or delayed during your travels. Some countries are more stringent than others, and you could face hefty penalties for not following the law.
There are still places where CBD is not legal, including Russia and Malaysia.
Also, remember to check individual state laws in the US. While CBD is legal at the federal level and is generally accepted in most states, there are those states who have different laws regarding CBD products.
Should I Leave Them At Home?
The thing is, anytime you travel with CBD products, you risk being stopped and searched. If you’re searched and CBD is found in your bag, you could be detained until it can be determined whether or not your CBD product is within the law. While you certainly don’t have to leave your CBD at home, it might be a better idea if you don’t want to risk delays.
The problem with the CBD market is that there isn’t very much regulation, so even what’s on your label could be incorrect. This is why it’s so important to buy CBD from a good provider, so you’re not taking the risk of faulty packaging or low-quality products.
If you’re traveling overseas, it might be a better idea to leave your CBD at home and instead purchase CBD when you arrive at your destination. This eliminates the need to carry your CBD on the plane and can save you the trouble of explaining yourself to customs agents.
The Bottom Line
CBD is legal in most of North America, but you should always check the regulations within your destination’s legal jurisdiction. Some US states have different laws regarding CBD, and, unfortunately, CBD isn’t legal in every country.
Even major countries like Russia have yet to legalize the compound for personal use. If you feel like you don’t want to take the risk and face potential delays, the best thing to do is simply leave your CBD at home.
