How a Cannabis Expert Makes His Way Through the TSA
So, you’re about to board a plane, but you want to take your legally purchased medical marijuana product with you on the flight. This is a very frustrating unpleasant situation, but this is what one expert recommends.
If you think, “You won’t have a problem ?!” the answer can be . Marijuana is now legal in many places in the US , especially for medical purposes, and the TSA is not actually looking for drugs — that’s not their job. These conveyor machines are no scanners for the detection of drugs, and they do not bite you for what you eat honey soaked weeds . Their focus is on safety and finding dangerous items. In addition, the TSA has softened the issue somewhat over the years , and some major airports are now even considered “medical marijuana-friendly.” For example, you can fly within California with eight ounces or less of medicinal marijuana or the equivalent in a cannabis product if you have a state issued card.
However, things can get complicated because the TSA is a federal program. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, no matter what the state law says, and the TSA states that local law has nothing to do with such matters. They do not handle medical marijuana any differently than non-medical marijuana because there is no federal law to do so. This whole issue between federal and state law is a mess, but if you want to try to figure it all out,there was a big rundown last week tonight . So what does this mean for you as a prosperous budding smuggler? Well, the TSA might not be looking for your weed, but they can refer the case to a law enforcement officer if they come across him during a security check, even if you have a state-issued card . Further, whatever happens depends on the law enforcement officer who responded. They can confiscate the item or possibly arrest you. It goes without saying, but try it at your own risk .
However, if you are going to give it a try, there are ways to do it right and improve your chances. Basically, you just need to make sure TSA doesn’t happen during routine checks, which is actually easier than it sounds. At The Cannabist, Joel Milton, CEO of Baker , a technology company that helps dispensaries grow their brand and interact with their customers, shares his best advice :
- Don’t bring liquid marijuana with you : TSA always looks for liquids of any type, so avoid infused drinks and elixirs. Bringing liquid below the 3.5 ounce limit is better, but still not ideal as they will look more closely.
- Use airtight packaging : if you bring flowers or even edible products, store them sealed in containers that do not let in the smell. If they feel it at all, then you don’t understand it. Pack it with snacks and groceries to blend in.
- Don’t try to hide it too much : TSA and their machines are looking for anomalies. Placing a container of it in a can of peanut butter would be highly suspicious on the scanner, Milton points out. The same goes for the vape pen in your laptop’s battery compartment and other similar hideouts. They’re going to want to take these things out and test them. Milton says it’s best to keep the amount very small and hide things in plain sight.
- Eat an edible before your flight: If you are uncomfortable flying with it, just eat the treat before going through the security check. Just know your limits and don’t eat too much.
Milton explains that his bags were searched several times by the TSA, usually due to a mistaken water bottle, but he had things hidden in plain sight that went unnoticed. Remember, TSAs are looking for very specific things. If they don’t see it, they want to move forward as quickly as possible.
However, keep in mind that if the TSA detects it, things might not work. But as long as you are careful not to try to smuggle his brick in and flaunt it like an idiot, you have no reason for any problem. The TSA decides if an item is allowed on the plane, so be smart and don’t give them a reason not to.