It’s finally Summer which means many of us will be jetting off somewhere nice in the coming months.
However, for some of us, the thought of getting to our destination is frightening.
The fear of flying (aerophobia) is an excessive worry about air travel. It is believed to affect one in ten of the population, however, some studies suggest the proportion is much higher.
Although, they might not have aerophobia, many people feel anxious before flying.
As we know, liquids in hand luggage must be in a container of no more than 100ml (3.4 ounces). All liquids must be carried in a transparent bag with a maximum total capacity of 1 litre.
Any essential medications of more than 100ml are also allowed if they are accompanied supporting documentation from a relevant medical professional, for example a prescription or letter from a doctor.
UK Laws
In the UK, doctors have been able to prescribe medical cannabis since November 2017, but it is also legal to buy providing you are over 18 and it contains less than 0.2% THC.
You must make sure the oil is under the THC legal limit of 0.2% (which it will be if bought in the UK from a reputable source), otherwise there is a chance it may be placed under controlled substances.
THC Legal limit varies from country to country and state to state.
Although CBD is perfectly fine in the UK, depending on the destination you’re travelling to, the rules may not be the same. Some have different rules regarding CBD, while others may not allow it at all.
Transportation Security Administration in America
For our friends across the pond, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently updated its medical marijuana policy to allow flyers to bring FDA approved products and medications that contain hemp – derived cannabidiol (CBD) with them when they fly.
The TSA website states: “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."
Products/medications that contain hemp-derived CBD or are approved by the FDA are legal as long as it is produced within the regulations defined by the law under the Agriculture Improvement Act 2018.
What if I have a stop over?
Even if you are not leaving the airport, you are still in that country and therefore are subject to those laws.
In the past, people have known to be arrested for having things which are illegal when they land.
To be on the safe side, we would strongly advise that you check with the airline to see they allow CBD to be taken onto the plane, and to check with authorities to see if it is allowed in the destination you are travelling to.
Top tips for bringing CBD Oil on board
- Check the laws of the destination you are going to including any stop overs. You should check the laws regarding the legalisation of CBD and the legal % of THC.
- Check with your airline that it’s OK to bring CBD Oil.
- Do not try to hide your CBD Oil: Trying to hide it will look like you are doing something wrong. If you have followed the precautions – having it in your normal liquid bag should be fine.
- Bring along documentation just in case: It’s easiest to bring along documentation such as lab reports to prove your CBD oil is derived from hemp to avoid being detained. Also, bringing documentation means you don’t have to deal with questions regarding a possible suspicious-looking liquid.
If you go by the rules and follow and undertake all the necessary checks and precautions, you shouldn’t come across any problems too large and the flight should be a breeze!
Happy holidays!