Flying With Weed: TSA Marijuana Rules Explained

For those with an affinity for marijuana, or as pop culture enthusiasts would say, April 20th or April 20th could be a national holiday.

This is the day when cannabis enthusiasts celebrate the legendary weed. Legend has it that 4/20's most plausible historical origin was in her 1970s, when a group of her teenage friends in California met each day at 4:20 p.m. Smoking marijuana, the ritual quickly expands from there, and the timestamp simply evolves to his 4/20.

What was taboo 50 years ago is, of course, more acceptable today. Medical marijuana outlets are nationwide, and most states have relaxed laws regarding recreational marijuana consumption. Oh, but can you fly? (And by flying, I mean literally in an airplane, not figuratively.)

The short answer is no. And somehow at the same time.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, "certain cannabis-infused products containing marijuana and some cannabidiol (CBD) oils are prohibited, except for products containing 0.3% or less THC on a dry weight basis, or approved by the United States. Remains illegal under federal law: FDA (See Farm Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334.) , or must be reported to federal authorities.

Read also: Caribbean and Latin American Destinations gear up for cruise recovery

I have your hard no. It is still illegal to carry marijuana on an airplane. but…

“TSA inspection procedures are security-focused and designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Therefore, TSA security personnel will not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. However, if an illegal substance is found during a security screening, the TSA will escalate the matter to law enforcement officials."

There is your "kind".

As a passenger, you must bear this risk. The TSA is responsible for the airline's policies regarding marijuana and will refer them to the appropriate authorities if found.

If they find it, that's the key phrase.

For example, when New York state legalized the recreational possession of up to 3 ounces of cannabis last year, TSA spokeswoman Lisa Ferbstein admitted there was a strange dichotomy in interpreting the law. . TSA officials don't look for marijuana, but by law, if they find more than 3 ounces, they must report it, Falbstein said.

"There is no change in how TSA personnel handle marijuana and other drugs they encounter while performing security duties," Ferbstein told Gotham Magazine.

Benjamin Branham, spokesman for the Port Authority, which operates New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, said:

“A New Yorker over the age of 21 may possess, purchase, or transport up to 3 ounces of cannabis. Therefore, the PAPD will not issue, confiscate, or arrest tickets for this amount at New York airports. ."

Another point to consider is where you travel as your final destination. Societies may be more accepting of limited marijuana use, but less than half of the 18 states have legalized recreational cannabis.

You may think you've dodged a bullet by going through a TSA checkpoint, but depending on where you arrive, you may have to grapple with state laws.

Sourse: Travelpulse