If you’re thinking of flying with edibles, there are a few things you need to know.
First of all, and most importantly, is it even legal to fly with edibles?
Unfortunately, it is not legal to fly with edibles or other weed products because weed is still illegal on a federal level.
Airports and airplanes are under federal jurisdiction.
Can You Fly With Edibles if You Have a Medical Marijuana Card?
Even if you have a medical marijuana card, no exemptions are made.
Again, weed is illegal on a federal level, so there are no exemptions for marijuana outside of the state in which the exemption is issued.
Can You Fly With Edibles Between Two States Where Weed is Legal?
We just said that “there are no exemptions for marijuana outside of the state in which the exemption is issued.”
But this doesn’t mean that you can fly with edibles and other weed products from one state where weed is legal into another where it is legal, either.
Again, this is because weed is still illegal on a federal level and airport and airplanes are under federal jurisdiction.
What Happens if the TSA Finds Edibles in Your Luggage?
If the TSA finds edibles or other weed products in your carry on or checked bags, the officer who found the weed has a responsibility to report you to law enforcement.
However, the state you are in can make a difference.
If in a state where weed is legal, such as California, and just a small amount of weed is found, the TSA agent may simply confiscate your weed unless there is a large amount of weed involved.
Do the TSA Even Care About Weed?
It surprises many people to hear that the TSA doesn’t actually care about weed all that much.
The TSA state that:
“TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.
Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
In other words, the TSA are not actively looking for passengers who are flying with weed.
The TSA have far important things to look for and be worried about that are much more of a direct threat to aviation safety.
But if you try to bring weed on a plane and it is found, then it will still be reported, as it is a TSA agent’s duty to report any illegal substances, including weed, to law enforcement.
What Do Edibles Look Like on an Airport Scanner?
Airport scanners can detect weed, though not necessarily outright.
The way an airport scanner works is that when an item passes through the scanner, it either comes up as orange, green, or blue.
This represents organic material (orange), non-organic materials (green), or metals and hard plastics (blue/black).
As weed is organic matter, it comes up as orange.
As explosives are often partly composed of organic materials, this means that a TSA agent may pay closer attention to what it is in your luggage, search your bag and find your weed.
When it specifically comes to edibles, though, edibles just look like any other food item on an airport scanner.
If edibles aren’t kept in their original packaging and don’t have a strong smell, it can be hard to tell that you’re flying with edibles, though a dog may be able to pick up the scent.
Related: What Does Weed Look Like On An Airport Scanner?
Can You Bring CBD Gummies on a Plane?
As long as the CBD gummies don’t contain more than 0.3% THC, you can bring CBD gummies on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
Can You Bring a Dab Pen on a Plane?
You are not allowed to bring a dab pen on a plane if it contains any illegal substances, even though weed might be legal in the state you are flying out of or flying into.
The dab pen should be empty if you want to bring it with you to your destination.
Robert is an expert in commercial air travel with decades of experience in the travel industry, and has spent countless hours in airports and on planes for work.
Robert therefore has an unrivaled understanding of everything related to commercial air travel, and has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, such as Insider, Trip Savvy, ZDNet, and Bored Panda, showcasing his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field.
