Updated on June 7, 2024
With cannabis restrictions lightening up across the U.S. every year, it may come as a surprise that traveling with cannabis is still heavily controlled. With a few exceptions, bringing marijuana, edibles, and dab pens onto a plane is not permitted. It’s important to understand that at the airport, TSA security checkpoints are federally controlled areas in the airport, and under federal jurisdiction, all cannabis products are still illegal. For medical marijuana patients and cardholders, the TSA will allow medical marijuana and cannabis-infused products that contain up to 0.3% THC. So what does this mean about what you can bring on a plane?
As a disclaimer, in no way do we encourage or support traveling with federally illegal substances. TSA vape rules are strict, and there are some things you should know about how cannabis, edibles, dab pens, and more are treated at airports in the United States.
Can You Bring Edibles on a Plane?
Cannabis flower is very aromatic and likely isn’t a first choice trying to carry marijuana at the airport. After all, I’m sure you’re picturing a dozen police K-9 dogs ready to find the faint smell of the nug you forgot was in your bag.
Edibles seem like a more inconspicuous choice when trying to be discreet about traveling with cannabis. However, this won’t matter on an airplane. Freezing edibles, sealing edibles, or even double-sealing cannabis products of any kind doesn’t change the fact that you can’t travel via airplane with marijuana. You can’t bring THC edibles on a flight, no matter if they’re store-bought or homemade.
Since you cannot travel with marijuana on a plane, and edibles are cannabis-infused products, it is illegal to bring edibles on a plane, with an exemption for products that contain less than 0.3% THC. The TSA’s goal is to maintain security by preventing dangerous items from getting on planes. The TSA is not tasked with looking for marijuana or other illegal substances, and TSA officers cannot determine if a passenger’s documentation or medical marijuana card is sufficient to authorize possession of marijuana under a given state’s law.
In the end, it will be the TSA’s officer’s decision to report if and when they find something and whether or not to involve a law enforcement officer, who can determine whether to make an arrest or confiscate anything. Law enforcement policy will also vary from state to state. Be sure to read about all laws and policies about cannabis in any state to which you’re planning to travel.
If you’re trying to bring edibles, or any other cannabis-infused products, on a plane be sure to only carry them in your personal item or carry-on luggage. Do not travel with edibles, cannabis, or cannabis-infused products in your checked baggage. Also, be sure to have all the required documentation and medical marijuana cards in case you need them.
Can You Bring a Dab Pen on a Plane?
Bringing a dab pen on a plane falls under the policy for electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. Of course, using a dab pen at an airport is still strictly prohibited, but you can travel with one if its lithium-ion battery does not exceed a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100 Wh. You would also want it to be clean and free of any residue. You should avoid bringing a weed cart through TSA. If your dab pen has a cartridge attached, the THC in the cartridge would still have to be less than 0.3%.
If you decide to travel with a vape pen on a plane, store it in your carry-on luggage or personal item. As with edibles, do not carry any vape pens, cartridges, or batteries in your checked luggage.
Can I Bring a Dab Rig on a Plane?
Actually, partially yes. You can bring a dab rig on a plane if it is a glass pipe, as glass pipes and glass water pipes are okay to bring on planes. Traveling with marijuana is against the law, so make sure to thoroughly clean your dab rig and remove any THC residue before carrying it on a plane.
In a nutshell, even though it’s federally illegal, it may be possible for medical marijuana travelers to carry edibles, travel with dab rigs, and bring vapes on airplanes as long as they fall within certain THC limits. Also, the TSA is not tasked with finding your marijuana so try not to give them a reason to stop you by following steps like only carrying cannabis, edibles, and dab pens in your carry-on luggage. And remember that in the end, the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
What Should Medical Patients Do?
Despite being a medical marijuana patient, traveling with cannabis can still be a risk when crossing state borders. Unless you’re traveling with products that contain “no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA,” it will usually be easier to purchase your weed when you land. Luckily for medical card-carrying individuals, Medical Cannabis Reciprocity allows you to shop for THC and CBD products in other states with minimal hassle. The Illinois Department of Public Health highlights states where Illinois residents can shop for cannabis with a medical cannabis card or a visitor card.
With a medical cannabis card, Illinois residents can shop for cannabis products in:
- Maine
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- District of Columbia (D.C.)
In these states, card-carrying medical marijuana patients will need a visitor card before shopping:
- Arkansas
- Hawaii
- Oklahoma
- Utah
While this might be a slight setback to your travel schedule, by purchasing your weed after you land, you’ll be able to avoid all of the hassle of traveling with edibles and vapes. You can learn more about Medical Cannabis Reciprocity before planning your trip.
Traveling with edibles is still restricted due to federal policy, but these rules may change someday in the future. Read as many of the policies as you can and follow all requirements for a hassle-free trip. For many of us, it may just be easier to buy cannabis at a dispensary near O’Hare airport after we get off our flight. And, as always, stay safe and blaze on!
