# Traveling with legal marijuana **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266 "2022-06-15T22:28:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/1 "2022-06-15T22:28:55Z")
My bf wants to vacation this winter in Texas, his dad has a place where we could stay. Hes curious if he could take his luster pod with him on the plane, or if not, he could buy some down there. His medical card is good in Ohio. Thank you in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/2 "2022-06-15T22:38:32Z")
If he’s going to be in Texas, he’s subject to Texas law. An out of state medical card isn’t going to suffice. Airport security is not in the business of enforcing drug laws. But, they do examine luggage for safety reasons, and would be well within their rights to report criminal behavior (which includes transporting marijuana). I’ve seen at least one case where a person was removed from a plane due to the cannabis in their checked luggage (and, if I recall correctly, they were planning to fly to Texas). Of course, that person was transporting an entire suitcase full of flower. It was clearly not for personal consumption. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/3 "2022-06-15T22:52:23Z")
Former TX resident checking in here. TSA wants carts unscrewed, but in your carry-on. Can’t check them, the unstable pressure in the cargo hold makes them, I dunno, dangerous. They’re not gonna take much time determining tobacco/CBD (which are both legal in Tx) so just keep it chill, quietly in your carry-on bag. They’re far more concerned about explosive things that could harm other passengers. Or just go with edibles, they look like any other candy and everyone brings snacks on board. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/4 "2022-06-15T22:53:03Z")
Even in Canada, where it was legalized federally a few years back, every airport has signs telling you not to bring pot on the airplanes. Thinking about doing this in the US is insane. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/5 "2022-06-15T22:59:42Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > TSA wants carts unscrewed, but in your carry-on. Can’t check them, the unstable pressure in the cargo hold makes them, I dunno, dangerous. They’re not gonna take much time determining tobacco/CBD (which are both legal in Tx) so just keep it chill, quietly in your carry-on bag. This. Unscrewed cartridges in carry on are not going to create any problems, as they are inert and don’t produce any offensive odor. Nobody is going to spend time deciding whether it is tobacco or something else inside the cartridge. (But again, the caveat is that it’s personal use - a few in a shaving kit. An entire bag full of such a substance is going to generate suspicions of trafficking) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/6 "2022-06-16T00:12:53Z")
So long as he realizes he is committing a federal offense - attempting to bring contraband onto an airplane, and is willing to incur whatever penalties result should the TSA agent on duty choose to make a deal out of it - he’s fine. Or, if his buzz (ahem - medicine) is that important to him, maybe drive. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/7 "2022-06-16T00:34:40Z")
From the TSA directly: > [@](#): > > TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer. > **[Medical Marijuana | Transportation Security Administration](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medical-marijuana)** > > 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 FDA. (See the... ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/8 "2022-06-16T01:30:03Z")
A TSA guy told me that the battery is their primary concern. I’ve flown with cartridges but I pick up a $10 510 battery when I land. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/9 "2022-06-16T02:18:58Z")
Take edibles in a candy package. No battery to worry about and no one can tell that they’re not candy. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/10 "2022-06-16T04:20:10Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Even in Canada, where it was legalized federally a few years back, every airport has signs telling you not to bring pot on the airplanes. I thought that was only regarding crossing the border with cannabis? You could take it on Canadian domestic flights? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/11 "2022-06-16T09:19:08Z")
In the US it is a federal crime to transport marijuana across state lines. No exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/12 "2022-06-16T12:06:16Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > I thought that was only regarding crossing the border with cannabis? You could take it on Canadian domestic flights? I’m pretty sure we’re not technically allowed to transport it between provinces, though, since the provincial regulations are all a bit different. Still, there are so many pot stores around now, why bother? There will be one within a block of your hotel! Do you pack a case of beer in your luggage too? 😃 Full disclosure, my grandfather once packed _several_ cases of beer in his luggage, but that was both illegal, and a special case. It was also the mid-80s. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/13 "2022-06-16T12:09:11Z")
Okay. But would a dispensary take an Ohio medical card ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/14 "2022-06-16T12:33:50Z")
Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/15 "2022-06-16T15:52:04Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Hes curious if he could take his luster pod with him on the plane What kind of marijuana is in a “luster pod”? [Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty) and [Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little) are both correct, provided that you read _both_ of their posts: You can take CBD across state lines, but if it has more than 0.3% THC then it is a Federal violation. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/16 "2022-06-16T16:31:32Z")
It’s very likely to be against the law of the state you’re leaving or taking it to even if the latter has legal recreational/medical marijuana. The states with legalized recreational mj have set up their entire mj production process within their respective states. Everything from planting seeds to the final retail sale is done totally within the state. And they expect the consumption to also be within the state. This allows the states to claim that there’s no interstate commerce going on. Yes, the SCOTUS has ruled (Wickard v Filburn) that that still affects interstate commerce and so is subject to federal regulation, but maybe they’re hoping for a reveral of that ruling. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/17 "2022-06-16T17:01:04Z")
Luster pod looks exactly like a lipstick, he puts the oil inside. Thank you for the helpful info. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/18 "2022-06-16T17:05:23Z")
Some growers/producers market their oil in proprietary pods that work with their proprietary batteries. Really you are better off (IMHO) using plain old cartridges that screw onto simple 510 batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/19 "2022-06-16T18:11:07Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Everything from planting seeds to the final retail sale is done totally within the state. And they expect the consumption to also be within the state. This allows the states to claim that there’s no interstate commerce going on. Yes, all the growing and processing has to be done within the state. Isn’t it obvious that the reason for this is that there’s no other way to obtain saleable product? If the feds don’t allow stuff to cross the border, then the only way the locals can get any is by producing it locally. I can understand that a state might make it illegal to import cannabis from another state. Even though it is superfluous because it is already illegal on the federal level, still, it protects the local market in the same way that the movie theater disallows outside food in order to protect their own concession stand. But why would any state make it illegal to take it with you when you _leave_? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266/20 "2022-06-16T18:31:51Z")
I don’t know if it’s actually illegal according to state law to take legally purchased mj to another state. Note that I said “they _expect_ the consumption to be within the state”. They may or may not forbid its export, as I said, I don’t know. Of course that doesn’t stop people from the Boise area from driving to the town of Ontario OR (right on the state line†) and purchasing it to take home. Also, there’s literally tons of marijuana grown here in Oregon that’s exported to other states. It’s all illegal (grown outside the state system) and they (state and local law enforcement) do make arrests from time to time for that. . † At one time they had to go an extra 30 miles to Huntington OR, since that was the only place in eastern Oregon to allow pot shops. But the people in Ontario got a bit envious of all the taxes Huntington was getting. Or at least assumed they were getting; I don’t know how much they actually received. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traveling-with-legal-marijuana/966266.md?page=2)