# Flying from green to non green state **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868 "2015-07-11T18:29:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ginman999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/1 "2015-07-11T18:29:35Z")
Traveling to Denver by plane in the near future. I live in a non green state. Will I be treated any different upon arriving back to Indiana? Or will it be grab your bag and go? ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/2 "2015-07-11T18:34:35Z")
Is this a marijuana thing? ---
**Author:** ![ginman999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/3 "2015-07-11T18:43:47Z")
maybe ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/4 "2015-07-11T18:48:49Z")
Before you commit a crime, it’s always wise to case the joint. So go to the airport in Indiana tomorrow and see if you see drug sniffing dogs checking out the carousel when the flight from DEN arrives. That won’t tell you if the dogs are checking the bags before they get to the carousel, but it’ll give you a clue. Look for folks looking nervous as their bag doesn’t show up. And for signs of arresting officers. Like on any good case job, it’s probably a bad idea to ask some random policeman on duty standing around what he knows about the issue. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/5 "2015-07-11T19:31:47Z")
Anecdote: I flew from CO back to Chicago in February and there was no sign of anything out of the ordinary at all. Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever seeing dogs at the domestic terminal baggage carousel, ever. Near the ticket counters and baggage drop areas (ie departures), yes. At the baggage claim international (ORD Terminal 5), yes. Actually, that last sort of interesting. The dog handler ICE agent had an ordinary plastic grocery bag on her belt and you could see the oranges, bananas and apples through it. It was a fruit-sniffing dog. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/6 "2015-07-11T20:08:56Z")
I’m thoroughly ignorant of how best to transport valuable commodities through an airport. But, hasn’t airport security been on the lookout for this kind of thing for a long time? I would imagine there’s a good reason people go to lengths to move this product in secret instead of just packing a carry on bag with it and hopping aboard the next SWA flight. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/7 "2015-07-11T20:12:08Z")
> [@ginman999](#): > > maybe This appears to be asking for legal advice, then. Let’s move this to IMHO. Posters are reminded not to provide advice that encourages illegal activity. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/8 "2015-07-11T20:49:06Z")
I flew from Durango to Boston Logan with plainly labeled marijuana edibles in my checked bag and no one batted an eye. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/9 "2015-07-11T21:34:20Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I’m thoroughly ignorant of how best to transport valuable commodities through an airport. But, hasn’t airport security been on the lookout for this kind of thing for a long time? I would imagine there’s a good reason people go to lengths to move this product in secret instead of just packing a carry on bag with it and hopping aboard the next SWA flight. TSA is not charged with looking for anything other than the weapons & hazardous stuff that’s not allowed by the safety / security regulations. They’re not looking for contraband. Having said that, there are local police at all airports. And DEA at hub airports. And ICE at all international gateways. If TSA sees a large package of green leafy vegetable matter after they open a bag after the bomb scanner alerted on the toiletries in the bag, well, they know who to call. And it’s on speed dial since it’s used all day long. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/10 "2015-07-11T22:16:43Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > TSA is not charged with looking for anything other than the weapons & hazardous stuff that’s not allowed by the safety / security regulations. They’re not looking for contraband. > > Having said that, there are local police at all airports. And DEA at hub airports. And ICE at all international gateways. If TSA sees a large package of green leafy vegetable matter after they open a bag after the bomb scanner alerted on the toiletries in the bag, well, they know who to call. And it’s on speed dial since it’s used all day long. Ah, thanks. Makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/11 "2015-07-11T22:58:38Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Posters are reminded not to provide advice that encourages illegal activity. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/12 "2015-07-11T23:00:44Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. It’s illegal most other areas, so advice about how to smuggle it past TSA and friends in a state where weed is still criminalized would be a no-no. ---
**Author:** ![Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Last_Glacial_Maximum)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/13 "2015-07-11T23:29:30Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > At the baggage claim international (ORD Terminal 5), yes. > Actually, that last sort of interesting. The dog handler ICE agent had an ordinary plastic grocery bag on her belt and you could see the oranges, bananas and apples through it. It was a fruit-sniffing dog. Actually, her title is Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist {K-9} I should know, I work with her;) . ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/14 "2015-07-12T00:34:55Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. It’s illegal to take marijuana[on a plane](http://www.airsafe.com/issues/marijuana/travel-faq.htm). Marijuana is banned[at the Denver and Colorado Springs airports.](http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24835946/denver-airport-has-tougher-pot-policies-than-its) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/15 "2015-07-12T00:41:14Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. Marijuana is illegal to buy, sell, or possess in the United States. Including in Colorado. The legislative powers of the United States are not vested in the people of Colorado. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/16 "2015-07-12T00:49:35Z")
My brother once smuggled a dime bag of weed from Florida to Phoenix. How? In his work boots. Obviously, that wouldn’t work now that we have to take off our shoes and get them x-rayed. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/17 "2015-07-12T01:54:38Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. Transporting federally illicit drugs across state lines is very illegal, the wishes of Colorado voters notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/18 "2015-07-12T04:58:53Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > but it’s NOT illegal. That was what the voters of Colorado chose when they passed the referendum. At the federal level, it is technically illegal throughout the US, even if it is legal at the state level in Colorado, and even if the federal government has chosen not to prosecute in Colorado. It is certainly illegal to bring marijuana into states where it is illegal at the state level, which seems to be what the OP is asking about. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/19 "2015-07-12T05:19:22Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Marijuana is illegal to buy, sell, or possess in the United States. Including in Colorado. The legislative powers of the United States are not vested in the people of Colorado. > [@Colibri](#): > > At the federal level, it is technically illegal throughout the US, even if it is legal at the state level in Colorado, and even if the federal government has chosen not to prosecute in Colorado. ::snore:: Sun rises in the east. Water is wet. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868/20 "2015-07-12T05:29:10Z")
> [@Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](#): > > Actually, her title is Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist {K-9} > I should know, I work with her;) Awwww…cute! I was once carrying an apple when I landed at JFK airport. The cute little doggie, wearing a vest labeled “dept of agriculture” was sniffing all the suitcases on the floor, after people had lifted them off the carousel. I was carrying the apple in a small carry-on bag on my shoulder, and the dog walked right past me. So I told the handler, “awww…cute”! (answer: “NO, you cannot pet her.”) Me: “But I have an apple here”. (answer: “okay, put your bag down on the floor , and let’s see”) Sure, enough, the cute little doggie approached, and started wagging her tail. Cute! 🙂 I gave my apple to the guy, but I kept the rest of my thoughts to myself : gee whiz, why does the mighty US government use a _dachsund_?-- which is only 9 inches tall and can’t find an apple that’s at my waist height, or even investigate bags which are sitting on the carousel at the height of my knees? (this was 25 years ago or so) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-from-green-to-non-green-state/724868.md?page=2)