Can You Fly With CBD? Yes— Here’s How

A plane silhouette with the text "Can you fly with CBD?"

Key Takeaways

According to the TSA’s rules, you can fly domestically with CBD products as long as they meet other requirements.
Exercise caution when traveling with hemp-derived THC products (gummies).
Flying internationally with CBD can be a bit of a headache. Be sure to look up hemp and CBD rules for all countries that you plan to visit (or have a layover in).

Can You Fly With CBD Domestically?
Can You Fly With CBD Internationally?
Tips for easy travel
FAQs

Air travel can be stressful— long TSA lines, endless waiting and watching the clock, rubbing elbows with everyone and their cousin. It’s no wonder that thousands are turning to CBD to take the edge off during long trips.

If you’re planning a domestic or international trip and plan to bring CBD with you, you’ll want to understand the rules. In this post, we’ll cover getting through TSA, what types of products you may want to avoid bringing with you, and some tips to make your next flying experience stress-free.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be used as or misconstrued as legal advice.

What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol and is one of the more than 100 naturally occurring chemical compounds (cannabinoids) produced by the cannabis plant. CBD is found in abundance in hemp and hemp flower.

By itself, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it will not make you feel intoxicated, and it does not lead to dependency in users. While experts aren’t entirely sure how CBD interacts with your body, based on user testimonials, we know that it may help users relax, destress, and fall asleep more easily. What else could you ask for on a longer flight?

Why Do People Want To Fly With CBD?

In a recent survey conducted by the Journal of Cannabis Research, CBD users were asked why they used CBD.

42.6% said that they used CBD for self-perceived anxiety
37.5% said that they used CBD for stress
And 42.5% said they were using CBD to address some sleep-related issue

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you’re going— travel is exhausting and can be quite stressful for some. CBD can help users relax and calm their inner monologue, the same inner monologue that freaks out about making your connecting flight on time.

The benefits of CBD don’t end there. Once you reach your destination, CBD can help ease you into your new time zone and overcome jet lag.

Can You Fly With CBD Domestically?

The short answer: Yes, you can fly with CBD.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can fly with “products that contain hemp-derived CBD oil…”

The longer answer is a bit more nuanced. You are allowed to fly with hemp-derived products and FDA-approved Epidiolex (a prescription CBD oil). Because most CBD products sold nationally adhere to these guidelines, you should be fine. Right?

Real life is messier. For one, your specific airline might have rules regarding CBD. You’ll want to check before you book your flight. For example, United Airlines did not allow for any CBD or hemp products in checked or carry-on bags for some time. Their domestic US flight has since changed.

Second, your TSA agent might not be able to immediately recognize your CBD product as hemp-derived and allowed. Even though you may be in the right, you don’t want to be pulled aside in the TSA line or spend any more time in security than is necessary.

Whether or not your CBD makes it on the plane will be up to the discretion of your TSA agent— and we all know that they can have good days and bad days. Luckily, there are a few ways to make life easier for your TSA agent, some of which we’ll cover shortly.

Let’s discuss which products may or may not be great for flying.

Can You Fly With CBD Oil?

You can fly with CBD oil, but the TSA guidelines for liquids apply. Your CBD oil must not be larger than 3.4oz or 100mL. This isn’t too much of a concern, though, as most CBD oils on the market come in either 1- or 2-oz bottles.

Can You Fly With CBD Gummies?

You should be able to fly with CBD gummies in 2024 with no problem. However, if you decide to travel with CBD-derived delta-9 THC gummies, you may want to reconsider. These products can be confused with cannabis edibles.

Because gummies and edibles, in general, aren’t liquids (like CBD oil), they shouldn’t be subject to further restriction.

Can You Fly With CBD Cream?

You should be able to fly with your CBD topicals without issue. However, the size of your topical product may cause some issues.

If you try to bring a product larger than 3.7 oz, the TSA will likely make you throw it away at security.

Can You Fly With A CBD Vape Pen?

You cannot fly with a CBD vape pen in your checked bag. Because the batteries inside make them a potential fire hazard, you must fly with your CBD vape pen in your carry-on bag. Otherwise, provided that you have your paperwork, you should be able to fly with your CBD pen in your carry-on.

Can You Fly With Hemp Flower?

Technically, you can fly with hemp flower; we would highly recommend against it.

Hemp flower and marijuana look and smell the same, and at the end of the day, it’ll be up to your TSA agent whether or not they allow your product on board and further whether or not to get local law enforcement involved. Why even risk the headache? If you’re dead set on traveling with hemp flowers, consider shipping them to wherever you’ll be staying or buying them on location.

Can You Fly With CBD Internationally?

So far, we’ve talked about flying with CBD domestically, but what about internationally?

International rules regarding CBD are much less clear right now. You’ll want to research your airline first and then the country you plan on visiting.

In Mexico, it’s legal to enter the country with CBD products that are clearly labeled as hemp-derived.
It’s illegal to enter the country with any foreign CBD products. However, you can purchase CBD products in Canada.
You may be able to bring CBD to European countries, though the rules vary by nation. You’ll also want to check the laws in any nation where you have a layover.

If you’re still unclear about a country’s CBD rules, err on the side of caution and leave your CBD at home.

Tips For Flying With CBD

You may not need to do the following, but hey, you’re a traveler, and being prepared is what you’re good at.

Bring Your Paperwork

Most vendors will readily provide you with both their hemp license and your product’s certificate of analysis— the lab analysis that proves that your product contains less than 0.3% THC content by dry weight.

You should be able to show this paperwork to your TSA agent if they question the legality of your CBD product and clear up any confusion.

Know The Local Laws

If you’re flying to a location with different laws about CBD than your own home state, do your research. Some states have different restrictions regarding hemp-derived products than others. The last thing you’ll want to do is deal with a headache once you touchdown.

Buy Onsite/ Ship Ahead Of Time

CBD is legal on the federal level, which means you can have it shipped anywhere in the country. If you still don’t feel comfortable flying with CBD after this article or want to avoid any hassle, consider shipping CBD to your vacation destination so that it’s ready when you land.

Wrapup: Can You Fly With CBD?

There are plenty of reasons you might want to fly with CBD; travel can be stressful, airline seats are uncomfortable, and good sleep comes at a premium. Luckily for you, traveling domestically with CBD is legal and possible.

If you plan on traveling with any Sunset Lake CBD products, you should know that we provide certificates of analysis and our Vermont hemp license in all mailed orders. We also make all of the aforementioned documents available for download here.

FAQs About Traveling With CBD

Can You Fly With CBD & THC Gummies?

Similarly to CBD gummies, you should be able to travel with full-spectrum CBD gummies (gummies that contain both CBD and THC). You may run into some issues if you try to fly with hemp-derived THC gummies like Sunset Lake’s Delta 9 THC Gummies.

Hemp-derived THC gummies are still technically hemp products, but only because of a loophole. What you can bring on a flight is still up to the discretion of your TSA agent, and they may decide to disallow your gummies (and keep them for themselves!)

Can You Fly ____ Airline with CBD?

Because airlines can change their use policy at their own discretion, if you’re worried about your airline’s policies about CBD, please call them. A desk agent or supervisor should be able to look up company policy and tell you yes or no.

Can You Fly With CBD Oil In Your Carry On?

Yes, provided that your CBD oil is under the 3.7 oz. limit set forth by the TSA, you should be able to take your CBD oil in your carryon.