Can You Travel With Cannabis?

Airports and all U.S. airspace fall under federal jurisdiction. Under federal law, cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC remains a Schedule I controlled substance — regardless of the laws in your departure or arrival state.

The TSA's Policy: TSA screening procedures are focused on security and detecting potential threats to aviation and passengers. TSA officers do not actively search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. However, if a substance that appears to be cannabis is discovered during security screening, TSA officers are required by protocol to refer the matter to local law enforcement.

The "Discovery" clause: Local police — not federal agents — handle these situations. In legal states like California or New York, local officers often decline to charge travelers possessing legal amounts. In states where cannabis remains illegal, the outcome is far more serious.

The CBD / Farm Bill Exception

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight are federally legal. You can technically fly with compliant CBD products. Always travel with original packaging that includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing the THC percentage so agents can verify compliance quickly.

Amnesty Disposal Boxes

Many airports — including Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), and Chicago O'Hare (ORD) — have cannabis disposal kiosks before the security line. This is always your safest option if you have product you don't want to risk at the checkpoint.

Crossing State Lines: Transporting cannabis across any state line is a federal crime — specifically, interstate drug trafficking — even if you are traveling between two fully legal states (e.g., driving from Oregon to Washington). The moment you cross a state line, you are in federal territory.

Open Container Laws: Every legal state has adopted "open container" laws for cannabis, similar to alcohol statutes. Cannabis must generally be stored in a sealed, tamper-evident container, typically in the trunk or out of the driver's reach. The specific rules vary by state — see the full directory below.

DUI Enforcement: Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Unlike alcohol, there is no universally accepted chemical threshold — states use a combination of blood THC levels and field sobriety testing. Penalties are comparable to alcohol DUI charges.

State Border Checkpoints

Border patrol checkpoints exist near many state borders, particularly in the Southwest. While these are officially immigration enforcement operations, agents can and do refer suspected drug violations to local law enforcement. Do not carry cannabis through these checkpoints.

Cruise Lines: Zero Tolerance. Cruise ships operate under federal and international maritime law. Every major cruise line — including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney — explicitly prohibits cannabis aboard their ships, including medical marijuana. Contraband discovered during embarkation or at sea can result in being disembarked at the next port.

International Travel: The Absolute Rule. Crossing any international border with cannabis constitutes international drug trafficking, regardless of the legality in both countries. This applies even when traveling between two jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis — for example, from a U.S. state to Canada.

Penalties in other countries range from deportation and permanent entry bans to multi-year prison sentences. Canada has aggressively prosecuted travelers attempting to cross the U.S.–Canada border with cannabis despite its own federal legalization. The risk is never worth taking.