[UPDATED] Can You Fly with CBD Oil?

Bathing suit. ✔️

Travel guide. ✔️

Camera. ✔️

CBD. ❓❓❓

We all know that things like Tylenol and Advil, or prescription meds, are fine. So, what happens when you want to bring CBD on your flight? Can you fly with CBD oil?

TSA Guidelines

In the past, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines made no distinction between marijuana and hemp, or CBD and THC. Everything fell into one category, under one “not allowed” umbrella.

Thankfully, they’ve clarified their guidelines to distinguish between the two.

The new TSA guidelines read:

“Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA.”

So, in theory, as long as you’ve chosen a product with less than 0.3% THC, or if it’s approved by the FDA, you should be good.

In theory.

One Small Problem

There’s just one small problem.

Let’s start with the positive. The TSA says that its agents “do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs.”

That said, if you’ve got it in your carry on, or the scanners flag it, agents may decide to test it.

Herein lies the problem. The tests used in the field can’t tell the difference between CBD and THC. Since both come from the cannabis sativa plant, both CBD and THC show up on the test as the same thing.

So, if a TSA agent finds your CBD, and tests it, you might want to be sure you have a copy of the Certificate of Analysis with you.

Not sure what a Certificate of Analysis is, or how to read one? Check this out.

International Travel

While the TSA has told us that hemp products with low THC (and in compliance with federal and local laws) are perfectly legal to fly with in the United States, that doesn’t mean you’re good to outside America.

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to international travellers that flying with CBD can land you in hot water if you take it certain places abroad.

For example, if you’re going to the United Arab Emirates, don’t bring any CBD products or even travel with CBD present in your system. Laws there are very strict, and if you’re caught, authorities may prosecute even minor CBD possession with a jail sentence of up to 4 years!

In contrast, if you’re flying to the U.K., where CBD laws are pretty lax, you may be ok. Just make sure the product adheres to the federal law: it must contain no THC and must be for human consumption.

Your best bet when flying internationally? Do you research. Read about the laws of the country you’re visiting, and see if any others have posted their own experiences.

Can You Fly with CBD Oil?

So, clear as water or clear as mud? Like all the rules surrounding CBD, it seems, the rules about flying with CBD are still a little confusing.

The TSA guidelines were likely altered to make things a little more clear, but we’re not sure that’s been the end result.

Again, in theory, that CBD oil you purchased should be fine, as long as it’s less than 0.3% THC. But, and this is a big but, the agency warns that “the final decision rests with the TSA officer” on duty, so let’s just hope they’re having a good day.