Are You Allowed to Travel with CBD Oil?

When you've been using CBD oil to treat some of your most life-altering symptoms, it's hard to be without it. When you're headed on a trip, you likely want to take some of your favorite CBD along with you.

According to the famous CBD retailer Penguin CBD, CBD is a legal substance throughout the United States as long as it contains 0.3 percent THC or less. However, it's smart to double check CBD rules when traveling to ensure proper compliance.

Flying with CBD Oil

Good news for CBD oil users: You can now fly with cannabis products such as CBD oil as long as it's hemp-derived and does not contain more than 0.3 percent THC.

This is a relatively recent announcement, updated in the spring of 2019 after the Farm Bill of 2018 was put into place. With CBD oil being unveiled as a non-harmful substance that is somewhat controlled by the USDA, TSA has removed it from the cannot fly list.

It also specifically named Epidiolex, the only FDA-approved drug with CBD as an active ingredient. Epidiolex is used to treat epilepsy, and research shows that it has been tremendously successful in minimizing seizures for those who have many each day.

If you choose to fly with CBD oil, remember to abide by the 3.4-ounce rule for all liquids. Your CBD oil cannot exceed 3.4 ounces if you're bringing it in your carry-on luggage. If you're bringing a larger container, you can simply leave it in your checked baggage, padding it properly to prevent it breaking or popping open.

CBD oil derived from hemp is the only form of cannabis that the TSA has deemed worthy of flying. To date, the FDA has not approved any other prescription medications containing cannabis in any form, so Epidiolex and low-THC CBD are the only options for legally flying.

However, if you're traveling with other cannabis products, you might not have to worry about being searched. The TSA shared the following statement in an Instagram post: "TSA officers DO NOT search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. Our screening procedures are focused on security and detecting potential threats."

That being said, if you get caught in possession of cannabis products, there can be serious legal consequences. The Instagram post continues:

"…in the event a substance appears to be marijuana or a cannabis infused product, we're required by federal law to notify law enforcement. This includes items that are used for medicinal purposes."

There have been reports of consumers sneaking cannabis products in airplanes in checked baggage because they believed they wouldn't get caught or TSA agents simply confiscating THC products without turning in the passenger carrying them. However, it's likely not worth the risk of carrying a substance illegally, and you should consider alternative ways to travel or leaving it home.

Crossing Borders with CBD Oil

The laws of carrying CBD oil over borders are very similar to that of the TSA's laws. It was once a problem to carry any CBD oil when traveling across state or country borders, but those laws are changing as well.

Currently, you can legally carry the same hemp-derived CBD oil across borders that you can carry when flying, that is CBD oil that contains less than 0.3 percent THC and Epidiolex.

If you're carrying any other cannabis products across state borders, it all depends on the laws therein. If you're carrying medical marijuana from one state that allows marijuana, such as Oregon to another state that also allows it, such as Washington, you won't have a problem crossing the border. However, if you're carrying it from Oregon to Idaho, and you're caught in possession of it, you may face possession penalties since it's not a legal substance in Idaho.

So, pure hemp-derived CBD oil is just fine, but you'll want to be more careful when traveling with other cannabis products.

Why You Should Travel with CBD Oil

Now that you understand what type of CBD oil is legal to travel with, let's look at why it's such a good idea to bring it on your travels. When you bring CBD oil with you on your travels, you might benefit from the following:

Anxiety Relief: More than 20 million American people suffer from a disorder called aviophobia according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In other words, they have a fear of flying. Some experts say that another 80 million have at least some nervousness at taking to the air. If you're among that 100 million people, having CBD oil in hand will make your journey so much more comfortable. CBD oil is a master at calming nerves and helping you feel comfortable in stressful situations, so no matter the source of your anxiety, CBD can help.

Pain Relief: Whether you suffer chronic pain, or you simply endure stiffness or situational pain when traveling, CBD can help. CBD seems to have pain and inflammation targeting properties that relieve these frustrating symptoms so you can travel in peace and comfort.

Better Sleep: How many times have you returned from a vacation utterly exhausted because you didn't sleep well on your travels? You might struggle to sleep on the plane or in the car, or you find the hotel mattress and environment isn't quite up to scratch. CBD may also be able to help in this arena. It has been associated with helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night, despite your environment. It's better than taking sleeping pills that have difficult side effects like headaches and grogginess the next morning.

Clearer Skin: With the stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep on your journey, it's not uncommon for travelers to break out as a result. Acne is the result of sebum production and inflammation, and CBD is believed to help reduce the hormonal production of sebum as well as inflammation. A CBD cream could help to prevent acne breakouts as well as diminish those that occur on your travels.

Pet Anxiety Relief: Not all pets travel well. Some are afraid of flying away from their owners or even riding in the car. If your pet has nervous fits when it's time to fly, you might try CBD oil made for pets. In the right doses, CBD oil can help to calm their furry nerves so that they can travel in peace and enjoy the adventure with you rather than panicking.

On your travels, you might encounter other ways to use CBD oil for your benefit. When you do, it can be a powerful tool to help make all of your vacations go smoother. Just make sure you're abiding by the rules, and you shouldn't run into trouble.