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Guide to Traveling with CBD

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (photo: David Lee)
New Orleans Airport (photo: David Lee)

Traveling has always been a stressful experience, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, and fears over contracting the novel coronavirus ever existed in travelers' minds.

Waiting in long lines, handling complicated and personal paperwork, sitting in cramped seats, and breathing in recirculated germ-filled air for hours can result in muscle strain, mental stress, and emotional exhaustion.

To combat travel fatigue, many people have begun traveling with CBD to relieve physical and emotional strain, which leads us to this article's topic: how to travel with CBD. 

What Is CBD or Hemp Oil? 

CBD is the second most abundant of the 100 or more cannabinoids found in cannabis plants worldwide.

Revered for its healing and restorative properties, CBD is unlike THC in that it does not possess psychoactive properties that are a signature of the ‘high' you get from THC.

Instead, CBD promotes physical relaxation, cellular rejuvenation, pain relief, and stress alleviation, making CBD a popular choice among stressed or anxious travelers. 

Individuals can use CBD products topically or as oral tinctures to reduce physical and emotional strain without the psychoactive effects of THC.

Given its incredible results, adults, children, and even animals use CBD in the pursuit of calm, peace, and comfort.

For instance, travelers can use CBD to help reduce the emotional toll from hectic airports and tight schedules.

Travelers may also use CBD to improve their physical comfort during the journey and encourage faster healing and recovery after the flight.

During those long flight hours, passengers may even turn to a CBD sleep aid to catch a few zzzs. 

CBD oil is legal in all 50 states and at the federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.

While CBD itself is legal, products containing both CBD and THC are not, and those wishing to travel legally with CBD must be aware of local laws and ordinances.

CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are considered legal throughout the United States and can legally be purchased, consumed, and possessed by adults of legal purchasing age. 

Can You Take CBD Oil On A Plane? 

Because CBD is legal throughout the United States, individuals can bring CBD aboard planes.

There are few restrictions regarding CBD oil transportation in checked baggage as long as it meets the 0.3% THC or less regulation.

If you wish to bring CBD oils or tincture on board in your carry-on, it must not exceed the legally permitted 3.4oz bottle size. 

Although it is not legal to travel with CBD oil that contains THC, the TSA has made it clear that its agents do not search for drugs like marijuana, making it unlikely that anyone would check to see whether your CBD oil comes in under the required THC levels.

Regardless, you always travel with cannabis at your own risk, and it is advisable to make yourself aware of local ordinances before traveling.

If you are traveling outside of the U.S., it is not advisable to travel with CBD unless you are intimately aware of local guidelines and restrictions. 

Traveling in Colorado (photo: David Lee)
Traveling in Colorado (photo: David Lee)

Tips for Traveling with CBD

While it may be a bit nerve-wracking to travel with CBD for the first time, it is perfectly legal and permitted to carry CBD with you throughout the United States.

If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of CBD on the road and want to try bringing your stash of CBD or hemp oil with you on your travels, try one of these tips for safely traveling with CBD.

Choose the Right Container

Some droppers and plastic topped containers designed for easy access to the products within can pop open or come loose during travel, leaking precious oil all over your stuff.

To avoid losing any oil or ruining your items during travel, try transporting your oil in an air-tight, reliable container. 

Keep CBD with Toiletries

Because of the potential for leakage, CBD oils are best kept with toiletries during travel.

If your CBD oil pops open in your toiletries bag, the mess remains contained, you'll easily be able to clean off your other beauty and bathroom products since they are designed to be washable.

Keeping your CBD in your toiletries bag can also help answer TSA questions regarding the product's nature. This method works best with CBD topicals, a more user-friendly alternative to a tincture.

Stored with your other medications, supplements, and personal care products, it'll be clear why you're carrying CBD. 

Clear Labels

If your CBD is clearly labeled with its ingredients and chemical composition, you will have a far easier time getting through security and handling TSA.

Clear, concise, easy to read labels make it easy for TSA agents to quickly glance over your CBD and help reduce the number of questions you might face. 

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This story was brought to you in partnership with Elevated Wellness LLC.

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