Marijuana And Airport Security: What To Expect

Marijuana laws vary from state to state, and the same goes for airports. While TSA officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, if they do find it, they are required to report it to a law enforcement officer. This means that you could get in trouble depending on the state you're in. Some airports, like Chicago's O'Hare, offer amnesty boxes where travelers can dispose of marijuana before going through security. It's important to note that even if an airport allows marijuana, your airline might not, and you could risk having it confiscated at the security checkpoint.

TSA officers do not search for marijuana

TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state, or federal authorities. However, they are not actively looking for marijuana when conducting security checks. Their focus is on ensuring the safety of passengers and addressing potential security threats.

While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, TSA's primary concern is not its possession but rather the safety and security of air travel. This means that if you are carrying marijuana for personal use, you are unlikely to be targeted by TSA officers during security checks.

It is important to note that TSA officers have the discretion to refer any suspected violations to law enforcement, and the final decision rests with them regarding whether an item is allowed through the security checkpoint. Additionally, some airports have their own rules or warnings about carrying marijuana, so it is essential to be aware of the specific regulations of the airport you are travelling through.

If found, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer

Although TSA officers do not search specifically for marijuana or other illegal drugs, if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, they are required to report it to a law enforcement officer. This is because 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 the FDA.

If marijuana is found in a passenger's bag, TSA is required by law to notify local law enforcement. Depending on the state, this could land a person in real trouble. However, in legal adult-use states such as Colorado or New York, TSA agents may turn a blind eye because they know local law enforcement does not consider it illegal. Ultimately, the decision of whether to allow an item through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.

Some airports have their own rules or warnings about carrying marijuana. For example, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) warns passengers that while its airport police division has "no jurisdiction to arrest individuals if they are complying" with California's marijuana law, TSA "screening stations are under federal jurisdiction." Denver International Airport in Colorado and McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas are examples of airports in adult-use states that prohibit marijuana on their property.

It is important to note that the TSA's screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. The bottom line is that when it comes to airport security, there are not enough resources available to check for personal possession drug violations, as the main security concern for TSA agents are terrorist threats.

Some airports have amnesty boxes for travellers to abandon their weed

Although TSA officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, they are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state, or federal authorities. If a substance that appears to be marijuana is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

Some airports have installed cannabis amnesty boxes, where travellers can dispose of their weed before going through security. These boxes are typically the size of a garbage can and are vividly coloured – often blue or green. A “cannistry amnesty box” sign should be clearly attached to the front of the box, with the seal of the city or state also found on the box.

The following airports have installed amnesty boxes:

• O'Hare International Airport (Chicago)
• Midway International Airport (Chicago)
• Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas)
• Colorado Springs (Colorado)
• Aspen County Airport (Colorado)
• Pitkin County Airport (Colorado)

The amnesty boxes are legal and have been modelled after similar boxes used around the world at airports and various public gatherings. They are intended to provide travellers with a simple and efficient solution to dispose of their weed, edibles, and other cannabis products before boarding their flight.

Dogs at airports are no longer trained to detect the smell of marijuana

While marijuana is illegal under federal law, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stated that its officers do not search specifically for marijuana or other illegal drugs. Instead, TSA security procedures are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. If TSA officers do come across any illegal substances, they are required to report the matter to law enforcement.

Despite this, there is still a risk of being caught in possession of marijuana at airport security. However, dogs are no longer used to detect the smell of marijuana at airports. This is for several reasons. Firstly, as marijuana has become more common and widely used, it would be confusing for dogs to smell it on passengers' clothing. Secondly, the primary purpose of security checks at airports is to keep people safe from terrorist or other threats, rather than to detect drug possession.

The TSA's official stance on marijuana is as follows:

> 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 the FDA. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state, or federal authorities. TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other drugs. If a substance that appears to be marijuana is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

It is worth noting that individual airports may have their own rules and policies regarding marijuana possession. For example, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has updated its policy to reflect California law, which allows individuals 21 years of age or older to possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana for personal consumption. However, other airports, such as Denver International Airport and McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas, prohibit marijuana on their property.

If marijuana is found, whether or not the passenger is allowed to travel is up to law enforcement's discretion

While marijuana is illegal under federal law, TSA security officers do not search specifically for marijuana or other illegal drugs. If any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer. The final decision about whether a passenger is allowed to travel with marijuana is up to law enforcement's discretion.

TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law to local, state, or federal authorities. However, the primary focus of TSA screening procedures is on security and detecting potential threats to aviation and passengers, rather than on searching for drugs. In recent years, as states have started legalizing marijuana for adults, TSA has made it clear that its workers do not actively search for marijuana.

Some airports have their own rules or warnings about carrying marijuana. For example, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) allows individuals over 21 years of age to possess marijuana for personal consumption, and its police division has no jurisdiction to arrest individuals complying with state law. However, LAX also warns that TSA screening stations are under federal jurisdiction. Similarly, New York airports have made it legal to possess less than three ounces of marijuana.

On the other hand, some adult-use states still have airports that prohibit marijuana on their property, such as Denver International Airport and McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas. If marijuana is found during a security screening at these airports, law enforcement will be notified, and the passenger may face legal consequences depending on the state's laws.

It's important to note that security dogs at airports are no longer trained to detect the odor of marijuana. Additionally, there are amnesty boxes at certain airports, such as Chicago's O'Hare, where travelers can dispose of their marijuana before going through TSA security checkpoints.

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