TSA approves some CBD products for air travel

Of course, there are some blurred lines in the legality

For licensed users only.
Moralis Tsai/Unsplash

In a seemingly lenient update to the Transportation Security Authority’s “What Can I Bring” page, the agency is now permitting the possession of certain hemp-derived CBD products on planes in carry-ons and checked bags.

It’s worth noting that per the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, it is perfectly legal to carry certain Cannabidiol (CBD) products — or other hemp-derived items — that have been approved by the FDA.

However, the possession of marijuana and some CBD products remain illegal under federal law, so the TSA is “required to report any suspected violations of law, including possession of marijuana and certain cannabis infused products.”


RELATED READ: Philly airport among worst in U.S. for summer flight delays


According to Forbes, this change was spurred by the FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex, which is a CBD medication that’s used to treat children who suffer from seizures.

NJ.com adds:

Marijuana remains a schedule 1 substance deemed by the federal government to be dangerous and without medical merit. That’s why flying with marijuana remains a legal minefield tor the roughly two million medical marijuana patients in the nation, including 47,000 in New Jersey.

Learn more about the TSA guidelines for CBD and medical marijuana here

UPDATED MAY 31, 2019: This article previously erroneously stated that medical marijuana was approved for air travel. That is not the case — only certain CBD products have been approved under the TSA's updated guidelines.