Short answer
TSA does not search bags for cannabis. TSA screens for threats to aviation. Federal law still applies at every airport. When a TSA officer finds a substance that appears to be cannabis during screening, the officer follows federal procedure and notifies local law enforcement. This applies to checked bags and carry-on bags.
What TSA says
TSA's published policy states that screening officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs. When an item that appears to be marijuana or a cannabis-infused product is discovered, TSA notifies local law enforcement. TSA does not enforce state cannabis law and does not make arrests. The local police agency decides on a citation, seizure, or release. That decision changes by airport and by city.
Cannabis TSA Rules for Carry-On: What You Need to Know
Checked bags compared with carry-on bags
- Checked bags pass through explosive detection systems in a screening area away from the passenger.
- Most checked bags clear without a hand search. When TSA opens a bag, it places a notice of baggage inspection inside.
- If an officer finds cannabis in a checked bag, TSA can hold the bag and page the passenger. The bag may not travel on the flight.
- Carry-on bags pass through the checkpoint with the passenger present. The same referral rule applies.
Federal law
Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Airports and aircraft fall under federal jurisdiction. A state medical card or a state retail license does not change the federal classification. DEA proposed moving cannabis to Schedule III in May 2024. The rule is not final.
Cannabis TSA Rules for Flying: What You Can Bring Through Security
CBD in checked baggage
TSA's What Can I Bring list allows CBD oil in carry-on and checked bags when the product is hemp-derived and contains no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis. That threshold comes from the 2018 Farm Bill. TSA officers do not test products at the checkpoint. A product that looks like cannabis, or a label that lists THC above 0.3 percent, can trigger a referral.
FDA has not approved CBD as a dietary supplement or as a food ingredient. State rules for CBD vary by state.
Quantity and penalties
TSA sets no weight limit for cannabis. Local law does. Penalties depend on the state, the amount, and prior records. An amount at or under a state possession limit can still lead to a citation and seizure. Larger amounts can lead to arrest. An airline can refuse to carry a bag that contains cannabis under its contract of carriage. Some airlines ban cannabis in all baggage.
International flights
U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces federal law at ports of entry. Cannabis is inadmissible under federal law. A drug-related finding can affect entry and trusted traveler programs. Do not carry cannabis on an international itinerary.
Before you pack
- Read the TSA What Can I Bring page for the exact item.
- Read the airline contract of carriage.
- Check state law at the departure airport and the arrival airport.
- Keep CBD in original packaging with a lab result showing THC under 0.3 percent.
- Carry a copy of the lab result if the product is a tincture or oil.
No rule guarantees an outcome. The decision at the checkpoint and the decision by local police are separate.