Airports' Strategies For Detecting And Handling Edibles

While the legalization of cannabis is becoming more widespread, it is still illegal at the federal level, and airports are federally controlled territories. This means that, despite the laws of the state you are in, you cannot bring edibles onto a plane if they contain more than 0.3% THC. The TSA is primarily concerned with safety and security and is more focused on weapons, flammable liquids, and gases than your personal stash of edibles. However, if they are discovered, the TSA may confiscate your edibles, alert the authorities, or refer you to law enforcement. Some airports have amnesty boxes where travelers can dispose of cannabis products before going through security without facing legal consequences.

Edibles in carry-on luggage

While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not actively search for marijuana or illegal drugs, it is illegal to transport cannabis products onto a plane if they contain more than 0.3% THC. If you are caught, you could miss your flight or face law enforcement agencies.

TSA scanners cannot detect edibles, and they are usually only found if something else has alerted security to potential prohibited substances. If you are found with edibles in your luggage, TSA agents will either confiscate them or refer the matter to local law enforcement. To minimize the fuss, keep your edibles in one place so they can be quickly retrieved and handed over. If you are travelling with edibles purchased from a legal dispensary, keep them sealed and store them with items in similar wrapping.

Some airports in states where weed is legal offer cannabis amnesty bins, which allow travellers to dispose of any cannabis products before going through security without facing legal consequences.

If you are travelling with a vaporizer, it must be placed in your carry-on luggage.

X-ray scanners and edibles

Airport X-ray scanners use low levels of ionizing radiation to create an image of the contents of a passenger's luggage. While their primary purpose is to identify potential threats such as explosives or weapons, they can also detect other items, including drugs.

Marijuana appears as an organic substance on X-ray scanners, similar to other plant materials or food items. However, edibles are challenging to detect unless the quantity carried is substantial or the odor is noticeable. The packaging of edibles may also give them away—for example, if they are in a metallic or foil container, they will likely show up as blue or green on the scanner.

To avoid detection, some people use odor-sealed packaging and carry edibles alongside regular snacks and food items. However, attempting to hide edibles in unusual places or using strange packing methods may raise suspicions. It is also important to note that while TSA agents may not be concerned about small amounts of marijuana, they are required to report any discovered marijuana to law enforcement, regardless of the state's legal status.

In summary, while X-ray scanners can detect edibles, the likelihood of detection depends on various factors, including the quantity, packaging, and odor of the edibles, as well as the procedures followed by airport security staff.

Amnesty bins for cannabis

Although the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not actively search for marijuana or illegal drugs, it is illegal to transport cannabis products onto a plane if they contain more than 0.3% THC. If illicit substances are discovered during screening, they will be confiscated, and the TSA will refer the matter to law enforcement.

To avoid such trouble, some airports in states where weed is legal offer amnesty bins at designated drop-off points before security. These are usually bright blue or green and are intended to allow departing travellers to dispose of cannabis products safely and without facing legal consequences. The contents of these bins are typically discarded securely by airport authorities.

Amnesty bins at airports are typically coupled with signage about the fines for bringing in invasive species, helping to preserve the biosecurity of the country. For example, in New Zealand, Chinese and English signage is used on the bins, which are placed by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

In the United States, amnesty bins can be found at O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport in Chicago, Colorado Springs Airport, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, and McCarran International Airport (now Harry Reid International Airport) in Las Vegas.

Edibles and international travel

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US is clear that its priority is security and detecting threats to passengers and aircraft. While they are not actively searching for drugs, if they are found during screening, they will be confiscated, and law enforcement may be alerted. Some airports in states where weed is legal have amnesty bins where travellers can dispose of any cannabis products before going through security without facing legal consequences.

If you are travelling internationally with edibles, you may be able to get away with it if you have a small amount and it is well-sealed and hidden. However, if you are caught, you could face serious legal consequences, including jail time. It is also important to note that the risk of being caught is higher when crossing an international border, as customs agents may be more thorough in their searches.

In addition, some countries have strict laws against drugs, and if you are caught with edibles, you could face severe punishments. For example, if you are travelling to the US, you will clear US customs before boarding, and they have drug-sniffing dogs that are trained to find THC. If you are caught with edibles, you will be denied entry and may find it extremely difficult to enter the US in the future.

Therefore, it is generally not worth the risk to try to travel internationally with edibles, even if you are travelling from a place where cannabis is legal. It is better to comply with airport regulations and avoid the potential legal consequences.

Legal repercussions of carrying edibles

While airport security is more concerned about weapons, flammable liquids, and gases, it is illegal to transport cannabis products onto a plane if they contain more than 0.3% THC. If you are caught, you could miss your flight or face law enforcement agencies. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states that its mission is security, and its priority is detecting threats to passengers and aircraft. The agency’s security officers do not actively search for marijuana or illegal drugs. However, if they discover any during screening, they will either throw the edibles away or alert the authorities and let a law enforcement officer handle it.

Different states may take different levels of action if you are caught with edibles at one of their airports. For example, at Los Angeles International Airport, the Airport Police Division won't arrest an individual in the airport if they do not exceed the legal amount in their possession, which is up to 28.5 grams. On the other hand, if you are caught with edibles at Boston Logan International Airport, they may contact the Massachusetts State Police at their discretion, even though the state allows a person to carry up to an ounce of cannabis.

Some airports in states where weed is legal offer amnesty bins at security, where travelers can dispose of any cannabis products before entering federally controlled territory without facing legal consequences. However, international travel is a different story. Your risks increase exponentially if you try to take cannabis overseas. For example, American basketball player Brittney Griner was imprisoned for more than nine months in Russia after being caught traveling with small amounts of cannabis oil.

Frequently asked questions