Flying With Weed: TSA Marijuana Rules Explained

09.04.2024 - 15:39 / travelpulse.com / North America / Rich Thomaselli

Update: April 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET

As more and more states legalize both medical and recreational marijuana use, travelers are becoming increasingly curious about the legality of flying with the controlled substance.

In response, a spokesperson from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) broke down the federal agency’s stance on marijuana and what happens when a traveler is discovered to be carrying weed.

The TSA released the following comments:

“It is important for me to note that TSA’s response to the discovery of marijuana is the same in every state and at every airport – regardless of whether marijuana has been or is going to be legalized. This also covers medical marijuana.”

“TSA’s focus is on terrorism and security threats to the aircraft and its passengers. TSA’s screening procedures, which are governed by federal law, are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.”

“As has always been the case, if during the security screening process a TSA officer discovers an item that may violate the law, TSA refers the matter to law enforcement. Law enforcement officials will determine whether to initiate a criminal investigation or what steps – if any – will be taken.”

Additional information:

“Finally, 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.”

Original Text

As those with an affinity for marijuana - or pop culture aficionados - can tell you, April 20, or 4/20, might as well be a national holiday.

That's the day cannabis lovers celebrate the legendary weed. Legend has it that the most plausible historical origin of 4/20 came from the 1970s, when a group of California teenage buddies met each day at 4:20 p.m. to smoke marijuana, with the ritual soon spreading from there and the time stamp simply evolving to 4/20.

Of course, what was taboo 50 years ago is more accepted today. Medical marijuana dispensaries are nationwide, and most states have relaxed their laws on how much recreational marijuana a person can have.

Ah, but can you fly with it? (And by fly we mean literally, on an airplane, not metaphorically.)

The short answer is, no. And, at the same time, sort of.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, "Marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA. (See