Trips with CBD is more common than ever
Since CBD exploded onto the health and wellness scene a number of years ago, product range and availability have increased exponentially, as has the number of people taking it.
Whether you take CBD to help relieve anxiety or pain or simply to improve your mood or overall wellbeing, if you’re planning on taking a holiday in the near future, you’re right to wonder whether you can travel with CBD.
In this article, we will address everything you need to know about traveling with CBD, including up to date (July 2021) information on:
- CBD and Domestic Travel
- CBD and International Travel
- Flying with CBD
Traveling with CBD
Even if you don’t rely on CBD in your usual everyday life, it can be a wonderful travel companion, whether it’s to calm your nerves before a flight or relieve an aching back from sitting in the car all day, not to mention the general stress that usually accompanies travel.
But can you travel with CBD oil?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple yes or no answer as it depends on where you plan on traveling to and what type of CBD product you have.
There are specific rules about CBD in different US states and other countries that you should be aware of. Quite often, the rules surrounding CBD are confusing and contradictory, so it’s no wonder that there is a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to its legality.
For example, in 2019, a 69-year-old lady got arrested in Disneyworld Florida for carrying a bottle of CBD oil in her bag. All charges were dropped in the end, but she was detained for 15 hours in the meantime…
CBD and domestic travel
If you’re traveling within your state, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, but if you’re planning out-of-state travel then you will need to check whether CBD is legal in the states you plan on traveling to or through.
Hemp-Derived CBD
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD is federally legal (hemp is defined as cannabis that contains no more than 0.3% THC), but that still doesn’t mean you can travel as freely as you’d like to with it.
Due to local state laws in Idaho, Iowa, and South Dakota, all types of CBD remain illegal, so if you plan on traveling to any of those states then you should definitely leave your CBD at home.
The complications don’t just end there either as some states’ health departments also restrict certain CBD products, with the most common restrictions being placed on CBD-infused food and drink.
You can check individual local state laws on the NORML website here.
CBD and international travel
Traveling internationally with CBD can also be quite tricky as, firstly, CBD isn’t legal all around the world and, secondly, even where CBD is legal, the THC limits vary from country to country.
Traveling to North America
In Canada, cannabis is legal for medical and recreational use and therefore imposes no restrictions on any type of CBD. Mexico, on the other hand, only allows medical CBD usage. In Jamaica and Costa RIca, CBD isn’t legal but it has been decriminalized, and in all other North American countries, CBD is prohibited.
Europe
CBD is legal in the UK and France, although it must contain zero THC and therefore be a broad-spectrum CBD product that has had all traces of THC removed. In Germany, CBD products with 0.2% THC or less are allowed and in the Netherlands, your CBD product may contain up to 0.05% THC.
Australia
Like America, different states have different laws, but as of last year (2020), CBD for medical usage is legal statewide, so long as it contains no more than 2% of other cannabinoids.
Asia
Most of Asia is pretty strict when it comes to CBD and punishment can be harsh. However, India is completely CBD-friendly and South Korea allows CBD for medicinal use. Thailand requires you to apply for a permit from the FDA Thailand which allows a 30 day supply of CBD to be brought in for personal use.
Central and South America
If you want to take CBD to Mexico, make sure it says “hemp-derived” on the packaging. Colombia allows CBD with less than 0.1% THC, Brazil allows up to 0.2% THC, and Costa Rica allows up to 0.3% THC. It is difficult to obtain information regarding CBD law from other countries on these continents.
Africa
Again, it isn’t clear what many countries’ stance is on CBD apart from South Africa, which allows you to consume 20mg of CBD per day. This CBD must contain less than 0.0001% THC and less than 0.0075% total CBD.
Flying with CBD
Regardless of whether you’re traveling within America or internationally, you may be considering flying there, so is it ok to take your CBD with you on the plane?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), both medical marijuana and hemp-derived CBD are fine to travel with, in your carry-on or checked luggage, although there are special instructions that need to be followed for medical marijuana.
The TSA makes a point of saying that their screening procedures are primarily focused on security, screening for explosives, and other threats to aviation. However, if one of their security officers finds your CBD when you’re flying to a state or country where it is illegal, they will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.
Traveling with CBD: Advice
Always check for specific rules and restrictions regarding CBD in your destination state or country, to make sure that you’re not accidentally breaking the law by entering with a controlled substance.
For domestic travel, choose high-quality hemp-derived CBD products, that contain no more than 0.3% THC to ensure that they’re legal at the federal level. For international travel, always follow up-to-date guidelines issued by the country you’re traveling to.
Make sure that you buy your products from a credible and trusted source that provides you with access to a Certificate Of Analysis (CoA). A CoA can be printed out and taken along with you on your journey to prove the product’s contents, including its lack or trace amount of THC.