Can You Fly With Medical Marijuana? Learn the Do’s and Don’ts
Key takeaways:
You can’t legally fly with medical cannabis in the U.S. The exception is if you have a prescription for one of four FDA-approved cannabis-based medications. Cannabidiol (CBD) products containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (TCH) are also fine to take on flights.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states that it doesn’t search for cannabis. But if they happen to find it during screening, TSA workers are required to report it to the police.
If you’re traveling within the U.S., check the cannabis laws in your destination state to see if you can buy medical marijuana there.
Table of contents
If you use cannabis (marijuana) for medical reasons, you may wonder whether you can bring it with you when you fly.
The short answer is: not legally. While many states have legalized medical and recreational cannabis, the federal law still says that marijuana is illegal. This is even true if you have a medical cannabis card from your state.
Read on to learn the differences between federal and state cannabis laws, the risks of travelling with medical cannabis, and how to navigate travel if you rely on medical cannabis.
Can you fly with medical marijuana?
No, it’s illegal to fly in the U.S. with cannabis, including medical cannabis.
Even if you live in a state where medical — or even recreational — cannabis is legal, it’s still considered illegal under federal law. Because federal law governs air travel, you can’t legally fly in the U.S. with medical cannabis. This includes all forms of medical cannabis, including gummies, flower, tinctures, and more.
Products made from the cannabis plant contain two main chemicals: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that causes the “high,” and cannabidiol (CBD). Over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are considered “hemp” and aren’t prohibited under federal law. You can legally fly with these products. But keep in mind, some states still prohibit hemp-based CBD products. So, it’s best to check the laws of the state you’re traveling to before bringing a CBD product with you.
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There are four FDA-approved cannabis-related medications, which are treated like any prescription medication. You can legally fly with these as long as they’re in their original containers and have a pharmacy label with your name on it.
These medications include:
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Does the TSA search for medical marijuana?
Not usually. The TSA doesn’t prioritize searching for marijuana and it’s not what they’re trained for. The TSA focuses on preventing terrorist attacks.
The TSA’s statement on cannabis says: “TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs.”
But if TSA screeners happen to discover cannabis, they could refer it to a police officer.
The TSA screeners are most likely to report cannabis if you’re carrying large amounts. If they find it along with other suspicious items like ammunition or large amounts of cash, they may also report it.
In states where cannabis is legal, some large airports have policies preventing state airport police from arresting travelers for carrying cannabis. But this doesn’t guarantee that you won’t be detained by a federal agent.
Some airports also provide safe-disposal boxes for cannabis at screening sites. These allow you to get rid of any cannabis without facing legal repercussions.
Can you fly with marijuana in a checked bag?
No, you can’t legally fly with medical cannabis in a checked bag. The same laws apply to your checked baggage as to your carry-ons.
Can you fly with marijuana gummies?
You can’t fly with cannabis gummies containing more than 0.3% THC. You can’t fly with these products in any form, including:
Gummies
Chocolates
Oils
Tinctures
Drinks
But you can fly with hemp-derived CBD gummies that contain less than 0.3% THC. If you bring CBD products on a flight, bring their Certificates of Analysis (COAs) with you. These certificates are sometimes accessible using a QR code on the product package. They’ll show your products meet federal guidelines.
What happens if you’re caught with marijuana while flying? [Consequences]
You’re unlikely to be stopped if you’re carrying a small amount of cannabis for personal use. Many states have become lax in enforcing laws around cannabis possession. Many have decriminalized cannabis. Decriminalization means they’ve removed or reduced criminal penalties for cannabis possession.
But there may be consequences if you’re caught traveling with cannabis, including:
The cannabis can be confiscated.
You could face minor criminal charges.
You could get fined.
If you’re a non-citizen, you could face immigration consequences.
You could miss your flight because of being detained.
State vs. federal laws for flying with medical marijuana
States have their own cannabis legalization laws. As of 2024, 37 states and the District of Columbia had legalized the use of medical cannabis.
But federal law governs air travel and classifies cannabis as illegal. This means it’s still illegal to fly anywhere in the U.S. with medical cannabis.
In addition, airspace — even within a legalized state — is considered federal territory and follows federal law. Because of this, you can’t legally fly with medical cannabis, even when traveling between cities within the same legalized state.
Can you fly internationally with medical marijuana?
Federal laws apply to both domestic and international travelers. It’s illegal to try to board an international flight from the U.S. with cannabis. Attempting to carry cannabis across international borders violates both U.S. and international law.
Cannabis laws vary widely in different countries. Some nations have severe penalties, including prison sentences, for possession.
If the laws in the country you’re traveling to allow cannabis use, it’s a much better idea to buy cannabis products there. Just be sure to research local regulations to ensure you’re purchasing regulated products to protect your safety.
Tips for traveling if you need medical marijuana
The best way to fly if you need medical cannabis is to plan to buy it at your destination. To do that safely, follow these tips:
Get state-by-state information before you travel. Know the current laws and regulations in the state where you’ll land, including those related to possession, purchasing, and where you’re allowed to consume.
Find out if the state you’re traveling to requires you to register in advance to buy medical cannabis products.
If you’re going to buy in the state you arrive in, be sure to purchase from a regulated cannabis dispensary to help ensure the safety of the products.
Carry a recommendation from a healthcare professional and/or a medical cannabis ID card, and make sure they’re current. Keep one copy on you and another copy in your luggage.
Check all of your belongings for any stray cannabis products before you leave for the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Medical cannabis programs are run by individual states. The first step in getting a medical cannabis card is talking with a healthcare professional to find out whether medical cannabis could help you. If so, you can apply for a certification, which will let you buy medical cannabis from regulated dispensaries in your state. Many states provide online lists of healthcare professionals who certify patients for medical cannabis use.
In states that have legalized adult-use (recreational) cannabis, you may be able to buy medical cannabis from adult-use dispensaries. But in some states, medical and adult-use dispensaries are separate. Medical cannabis dispensaries may offer a bigger range of products that target different conditions. And in most cases, you won’t have to pay taxes on medical cannabis, while you would if you purchase it in an adult-use dispensary.
Some states have reciprocal programs that recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. If you’re traveling to one of these states, it’s still illegal to take medical cannabis on the plane. But it’ll be easier to buy what you need at your destination. This travel guide lists the states with reciprocity privileges and their requirements.
The bottom line
You can’t legally fly with medical cannabis in the U.S. But you can legally fly with CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC or with one of the four FDA-approved prescription medications that are cannabis-based. While the TSA doesn’t search for cannabis, if they find it, they can report you. It’s safer to research the cannabis laws in the state you’re traveling to and buy what you need from a dispensary once you land. Always carry your healthcare professional’s recommendation and medical cannabis ID card with you when you travel.
Why trust our experts?
References
Americans for Safe Access. (n.d.). Travel guide for patients.
Defense Information Systems Agency. (2025). Marijuana legality by state.
McConnell Law Firm. (2024). What are the consequences of traveling with marijuana? Drug crimes lawyers, Wichita. PR Newswire.
Small, C. (2023). The dos and don’ts of flying with cannabis products (mostly don’t). The Association of Americans Residents Overseas.
U.S. Transportation Security Administration. (n.d.). Medical marijuana.
Weiner, S. (2023). CBD: Does it work? Is it safe? Is it legal? Association of American Medical Colleges.
Keep in mind that cannabis is legal in some states for personal and/or medicinal use, but not in others. Cannabis is still illegal under federal law.
