What happens when you try to smuggle edibles onto a plane?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

The full resumption of commercial flights after the long hiatus around the world means many people are planning to take to the skies soon.

We can all admit that acceptance of cannabis and its derivatives has skyrocketed during the pandemic. So it is expected that thousands of cannabis enthusiasts will be unaware of the laws governing the use and possession of cannabis at airports in the United States.

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With widespread cannabis legislation across the country, many people are wondering whether or not they can take their cannabis products with them on their next flight. Some have even attempted to take cannabis-containing edibles with them when traveling between states. The simple truth is that cannabis is a federally illegal substance. According to the CSA, they are considered Schedule 1 drugs.

Edibles in airports

Edibles are consumer products with varying THC concentrations. These food products can be made at home or purchased from cannabis dispensaries in legal states. It can be any food product as long as it contains cannabinoids.

A majority of the states in the country approve of medicinal cannabis or drugs. Therefore, people generally assume that they are allowed to bring their cannabis from one legal state to another for interstate travel. However, federal legislation makes this impossible. Regardless of whether it is medical cannabis or cannabis for adults.

Note that airport security officers do not search luggage for drugs most of the time. The main goal of these many policies in federal agencies like airports is to ensure security – the officer will check for prohibited substances and items during screening. Once a person is found in possession of cannabis flower, concentrates or edibles, they will be turned over to a local law enforcement unit.

You cannot take edibles on a plane

The federal government frowns on the use of controlled substances like cannabis. The government assumes that cannabis has a high potential for addiction. And that the drug has little or no medical use. Although the government’s attitude may seem archaic, the law is the law.

New studies have been published to refute the notion that cannabis has no relevant therapeutic use. Over 30 states have changed their laws based on these studies, but the federal government has refused to budge.

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All airports comply with federal laws

The federal government finances public airports. They are all subject to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and must follow federal regulations. The staff are also employed by the Fed’s Transport Security Administration (TSA). Because of this, all travelers across the country are subject to the laws that fall under national jurisdiction.

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Carrying psychoactive substances such as marijuana into airports or consuming these products on an airplane is a criminal offense. Some might have been lucky enough to get away with it a few times by carrying unsuspecting groceries, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s an illegal act. Flying with marijuana has different meanings for different airports across the country, such as checked baggage, carry-on baggage, etc.

It doesn’t matter what the state’s cannabis laws are. Passengers flying to and from legal countries must adhere to the same guidelines as passengers flying from non-legal countries. The legal equation remains the same regardless of the state. Cannabis is illegal and prohibited. You cannot board a plane to and from a cannabis-friendly state with THC products. Even though it’s an intra-cannabis-friendly state, it’s still not allowed.

The cannabis-friendly or non-cannabis-friendly nature of a state matters little when it comes to regulating cannabis at airports. The federal government is responsible for all air traffic in the country. Therefore, your landing and take-off targets do not contain water.

Only hemp is allowed

Hemp is defined as any cannabis plant that contains less than or equal to 0.3 percent THC. The federal government approved the Farm Bill less than four years ago. As a result, only marijuana and certain hemp-derived products are allowed on airplanes.

People who use these products for medicinal reasons are often advised to bring them along with their prescriptions. This exception can be found on the official TSA website. Unfortunately, there are few edibles made with this amount of THC. Most edibles sold in stores these days are higher in THC.

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Do not attempt to board an airplane while under the influence

There have been some instances where travelers have made the mistake of consuming their edibles at the airport to avoid waste. The law states that anyone who appears to be intoxicated with a drug is not allowed to board a plane. It is the responsibility of all TSA employees to ensure that persons under the influence of psychiatric drugs are not permitted to be transported. The only exception in this case are medical patients, whose caregivers look after them.

penalties for offenders

Violations of the Cannabis Directive are punishable by law. However, the punishment of the offender varies according to state and local law. This part may seem complex, but it isn’t.

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State jurisdictions do not determine TSA’s directions, but they do select the penalties offenders face. Some states exonerate offenders with a warning, while others impose penalties based on the severity of the offence. For example, at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, offenders are asked to properly dispose of their food in amnesty boxes, and then they are released without punishment. At Los Angeles International Airports, travelers found with edibles are only penalized if the amount exceeds the accepted legal limit of 28 grams.

Summary

The basic information you should know about carrying edibles to the airport is that the act itself is illegal. Airport rules are the same across the country, so it doesn’t matter if the airport is in a constitutional state or not. You may not take/smuggle edibles or any form of cannabis onto a plane. Also, a statutory prescription from a licensed physician may not be accepted.

The best option you have is to travel down and find a legal store to purchase your favorite cannabis products. Medical patients, on the other hand, can quickly request new cards at their destination to purchase their prescribed medication. However, this only works if you are in a cannabis-friendly state or country.

Once people understand that TSA agents at airports work under the same policies for cannabis, questions like this would be reduced.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.