What You Need To Know About Traveling with CBD

Traveling has become increasingly stressful. Between checking luggage, going through TSA checks and rushing to the terminal it can definitely bring on unwanted anxiety. CBD is a great supplement to reduce stress. It calms the body’s fight or flight response resulting in a calmer travel experience. If you’re curious about traveling with CBD to your destination we’ve compiled information to help you make an informed choice.

CBD is becoming more and more popular in the United States. With its many benefits, it’s no wonder that people are turning to CBD for relief from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, cancer treatment side effects (including nausea), inflammation (including arthritis), seizures/epilepsy and a host of other ailments. However, with the popularity of CBD comes some confusion about how it relates to traveling domestically and internationally.

Is CBD legal to take on the plane?

The short answer is yes.

CBD is legal within the United States however some States have specific requirements on whether or not the CBD can contain THC. Broad Spectrum products contain 0% THC making them a safe bet for travel. Full Spectrum products contain 0.3% THC making them legal within the USA, although it is always good to check on the individual laws of the State you are travelling to.

Iowa, Idaho and South Dakota only allow CBD provided it contains 0% THC. CBD vape products and flower for smoking remain illegal in these States.

The TSA’s stance on flying with CBD

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), “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 Farm Act of 2018.”Source  What this means for those using Hempstrax CBD products is that your tincture, gummies or topicals are clear for take-off.

As with anything else, there are of course rules and regulations that apply.  According to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, CBD products derived from hemp are perfectly legal as long as the THC content is .3% or lower.  Make sure to always get your CBD products from a reputable source that is transparent with Certificates of Analysis.

Gummies remain a favorite for travel as they are easily and discreetly packaged making them ideal for consuming in the airport or on a plane.

CBD in Africa

South Africa is the 1^st African country to fully legalize the sale of CBD products. Several countries are now growing industrial hemp although country’s governments have been slow to legalize the sale of products and foods containing CBD.

CBD in Asia

China is one of the few countries that have approved hemp for farming and production. CBD is legal as an additive to skincare products. Laws are changing to approve the use of CBD as a health supplement.

South Korea was one of the first countries in Asia to legalize medicinal cannabis. Their CBD policy is still quite but CBD products can be obtained with a doctor’s recommendation.

Surprisingly, Israel recently opted to keep CBD on its list of cannabinoids that need to be provided by a medical doctor. Despite their liberal views on cannabis and CBD, it is still only administered under the guise of a physician.

CBD remains illegal in many Asian countries. Many governments have not put laws in place that differentiate CBD derived from hemp from cannabis that is high in THC.

Until they put laws in place that recognize hemp derived CBD that is low in THC, CBD will remain on the restricted substances list classified as a scheduled drug. Currently it is recommended to avoid traveling with CBD to many Asian countries.

CBD in Australia

In March of 2021, Australia put into place a law that will make hemp derived CBD legal for purchase without a prescription. This CBD must be purchased over the counter approved by a pharmacist.

Given the requirements of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, it is expected that CBD products will not be available for purchase until 2022. Until then CBD remains a product that can only be purchased from designated dispensaries with a doctor’s recommendation.

CBD in Central America

El Salvador – Illegal

Honduras – Illegal and can incur jailtime

Mexico – Legal. The laws are slowly changing in Mexico, making way for decriminalized cannabis. At present, CBD products are legal provided they contain 1% of THC Delta-9 or less. This has allowed many USA based companies to start to sell their products in Mexico providing they receive approval by the government.

Panama – Illegal. They still consider CBD to be grouped with cannabis which is illegal.

CBD in Europe

Great news! CBD is legal everywhere in Europe with the exception of Slovakia. The European Union has declared CBD as legal but countries may adopt their own stance on whether or not CBD is in fact legal.

Several countries do not have black and white legislation in place. It is always a good idea to bring a doctor’s note with you stating that you require CBD for a legitimate medical reason. 

It is important to outline that the EU requires that CBD contain less than 0.2% THC which is lower than the requirement in the USA which is 0.3%. Travelling with Broad Spectrum CBD products which do not contain any THC would be your best bet.

Albania – Illegal

Andorra – Illegal

Armenia – Illegal

Austria – Legal

Belarus – Illegal, no differentiation between cannabis and CBD which both remain illegal.

Belgium – Restricted

Bosnia – Illegal

Bulgaria – Legal provided it contains less than 0.2% THC Delta-9

Croatia – Legal

Cyprus – Legal

Czech Republic – Legal

Denmark – Legal with a doctor’s prescription

Finland – Legal with a doctor’s prescription

France – Legal

Greece – Legal

Hungary – Legal

Iceland – Illegal

Ireland – Legal provided the CBD is obtained from hemp and is made using a cold press technique. Use of solvents such as alcohol or CO2 deem the CBD to be illegal.

Italy – edibles are now legal. Labels must specify CBD as a food additive. CBD Oils such as tinctures still require a prescription from a doctor, but this is expected to change in the next year.

Luxembourg – Legal

Monaco – Illegal

Montenegro – Illegal

Netherlands – legal provided it is derived from EU grown hemp and the THC content does not exceed 0.6% THC Delta-9

Norway Legal

Poland – Legal

Portugal – Legal with a prescription, although Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2019 so under this law it would be considered decriminalized but not legal.

Romania – Illegal

Russia – Illegal

Serbia – Illegal

Slovakia – Illegal

Slovenia – Legal

Spain – Legal

Sweden – Legal

Switzerland – Legal

United Kingdom – England – legal. Scotland – legal. Ireland – legal provided it is produced using cold press techniques.

CBD in North America

As stated earlier, CBD is legal in the United States provided it is hemp derived and it contains 0.3% THC Delta 9 or less. The States that have designated THC free CBD are Idaho, Iowa and South Dakota. Vape products and flower are illegal in these States. Delta 8 THC is only legal to buy in dispensaries in several States.

Canada has legalized hemp production and farming for CBD although CBD products remain controlled in Canada. It is illegal to import CBD products into Canada. Specific cities have their own rules on cannabis and CBD like Victoria, British Columbia which allows cannabis and CBD products to be purchased from dispensaries with a valid ID.

CBD in South America

South America has very specific laws on marijuana and CBD often grouping the two together. Columbia and Uruguay lead the way legalizing both for recreational and medicinal consumption.

Mexico has ever changing laws on the legality of CBD and cannabis. A law passed in 2017, stipulated that CBD be legal provided it contained less than 1% THC. This bill was created to open up the market to hemp growers and production of CBD products.

Ecuador has a very open policy on drugs in general, although this can change from province to province. CBD is deemed legal in Ecuador provided it contains less than 1% THC.

The global CBD market is expected to grow to $23 billion by 2025, as countries re-define their ruling on CBD separating it from cannabis.

Traveling with CBD is safer when purchased from a reliable source with lab testing

It is always advised to purchase your products from a company that regularly tests their products for CBD and THC content.

Always opt for products made with USDA certified hemp and CBD Distillate. Organic ingredients are always a good option as you can be sure of the quality.

Traveling with CBD has become quite commonplace. As with medicines and prescriptions, always check your point of destination to ensure the product you plan on taking is in fact legal. When in doubt, carry a doctor’s note stating you require the product for health reasons and this should ensure that you do not get into any trouble upon destination. If the place you are travelling to is on the list above as illegal, use caution if you plan to take CBD with you.