Flying with Marijuana - Rules for Flying with Cannabis [2023 UPDATE]

The acceptance and legality of cannabis has greatly increased the last years, and it is now allowable to legally fly with marijuana in some instances.  Here is a summary of the rules for when it is and is not legal to fly with marijuana, updated for 2023.  Although we make every effort to update this page as the rules change, it is your responsibility to check with TSA, CATSA, your local laws, and the laws of the countries, states, or provinces where you will be flying to confirm what is and is not allowed.  If in doubt, leave it at home.

Flying with a Vape or E-Cigarettes?

If you are flying with e-cigarettes, be sure to check the Rules for Flying with Vapes and Electronic Cigarettes, for the regulations about packing them into your carry-on or checked luggage. [AMZ asins='']

Flying with Marijuana in Canada

Marijuana has been legalised in Canada as of October 17 2018, and it is now allowed to possess and fly with recreational and medical cannabis, subject to the following rules.  Keep in mind that this is only for flying with marijuana WITHIN Canada, and it is ILLEGAL to cross international borders with marijuana, even if flying to another country or state where it is legal.

Flying with Medical Marijuana in Canada

It is allowed to travel WITHIN Canada, including betwen provinces, in possession of medical marijuana.  You are limited in quantity to 150 grams of medical cannabis, as long as you have the appropriate medical documentation to prove that you are allowed.  If carrying more than what appears to be the legal amount of marijuana possession for recreational use, currently set at 30 grams or less, you will be asked for medical documentation at the security check-point.

Flying with Recreational Marijuana in Canada

Flying with the legal amount of recreational cannabis allowed for possession for personal use is allowed when flying with Canada and between provinces. This means that you are limited to a maximum of 30 grams or less.  Keep in mind that if flying with cannabis oil, you are limited also in terms of the CATSA carry-on liquid restrictions, meaning it must be in a container smaller than 100 ml (3.4 oz).

If you bring more than the legal amount of marijuana for personal recreational use, 30 grams or less, you may be asked for medical documentation or the police may be notified which may lead to charges and prosecution. 

Marijuana can be transported either in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage, as long as the total amount being transported remains within this 30 gram limit.  Keep in mind, in most airports it is illegal to smoke cannabis inside the airport or in designated smoking airports, and only a few airports allow designated cannabis smoking areas.

We recommend flying with a carbon-lined Smell-Proof Bag to keep the smell discreet and not to annoy your fellow passengers with the smell when bringing it in the cabin. We recommend the Helmet Head Compact Smell-Proof Case.  

Flying with Edibles in Canada

It is legal to fly with edibles (cannabis infused food or drinks) within Canada, as long as it is for personal use, and the total amount of marijuana remains within the 30 gram legal limit.

Crossing International Borders with Marijuana

It is also ILLEGAL to bring marijuana into Canada from another country, and you may be subjet to prosecuation if caught at the Canadian border attempting to bring in marijuana, even if for personal use or medical use.

Cannabis is now legal in Canada. However, the legalization of cannabis in Canada does not change Canada’s border rules. Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.

It is illegal to bring cannabis into Canada. If you do have cannabis or products containing cannabis with you when you enter Canada, you must declare them to the Canada Border Services Agency. If you do not declare cannabis products when you enter Canada, you can face enforcement action, including arrest and prosecution.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/cannabis-and-international-travel

It is also ILLEGAL to exit Canada while carrying cannabis.  You can be stopped by Canadian officials if attempting to exit the country with any cannabis products, as well as by the country you are attempting to enter.  DO NOT CROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS WITH CANNABIS

Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis across Canada’s international borders is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.

This is the case even if you are travelling to places that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis. Transporting cannabis used for medical purposes is also illegal.

Cannabis is illegal in most countries. Previous use of cannabis, or any other substance prohibited by local law, could result in a traveller being denied entry to his or her destination country.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/cannabis-and-international-travel

Flying from Canada to USA with Marijuana

It is ILLEGAL to cross the Canada/USA border with marijuana, whether medical or recreational. This is also true if flying to a state where marijuana is legalized for medical and/or recreational use.  DO NOT CROSS THE CANADA-USA BORDER WITH MARIJUANA.

If flying from Canada to the USA and you are going through US Customs at an airport in Canada, there may be designated bins available for discreet disposal of any marijuana or cannabis products you may be carrying. Even though you are still at the Canadian airport, this is the official Canada-USA border and it is illegal to cross with any marijuana product, whether recreational or medical. Dispose of any marijuana or cannabis products before entering this area.

Flying with Marijuana in USA

Marijuana remains illegal federally in all of the USA, however some states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, and others for recreational use as well. However, US airspace is officially federal territory hence possessing marijuana on an airplane is a federal offense.  It is also ILLEGAL to cross any state border with marijuana, whether or not the marijuana is legalized in the state of origin, destination, or both. DO NOT CROSS STATE BORDERS WITH MARIJUANA, whether medical or recreational.

Some airports that have legalized recreational marijuana do not prohibit marijuana at the airport, such as Boston Logan and LAX, however it is always technically illegal to cross TSA security with marijuana. Other airports, such as Denver International Airport prohibit marijuana completely on the airport property.

The TSA screening checkpoints are governed by federal law, hence marijuana remains ILLEGAL even if in a state where it has been legalized. If a TSA screener finds marijuana on a traveler or in their luggage, it will be handled the same as any other illegal substance and the police will be notified. This responsibe is the same in every state and at every airport, and does not differentiate between recreational and medical marijuana.

We recommend flying with a Smell-Proof Case to keep the smell discreet and not to annoy your fellow passengers with the smell when bringing it in the cabin. We recommend the Helmet Head Compact Smell-Proof Case.

Flying with Medical Marijuana in USA

The Transportation Security Administration’s screening procedures are governed by federal law. Medical marijuana is considered an ILLEGAL substance by TSA, and this includes cannabis-infused products, such as cannabidiol (CBD) oil.

Possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products, such as Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, is illegal under federal law. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of law, including possession of marijuana and cannabis infused products. 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 in the event a substance that appears to be marijuana or a cannabis infused product is observed during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.

Source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medical-marijuana

If you really feel like you need the medical marijuana at your destination, do your research before leaving home. Research the local laws, the documentation required from your doctor for a presciption that would be valid at your destination, and where you can buy your medical marijuana at the destination. It is safer to buy it at your destination than to travel with it and risk prosecution for crossing state lines or international borders with marijuana.

Flying with Recreational Marijuana in USA

The TSA does not differentiate between recreational and medical marijuana.  It remains ILLEGAL to cross state lines with any marijuana product, whether recreational or medical. It is also illegal to possess marijuana through a TSA checkpoint, as TSA checkpoints are governed by federal law, not state law, where possession of any type of marijuana remains illegal. 

Although TSA agents do not specifically check for marijuana at the checkpoints, as their focus is on airport security, if they do encounter any type of marijuana or cannabis product they are required by law to notify the authorities.  Do not risk bringing any recreational or medical marijuana through a US airport, even if flying to a state or country where marijuana is legal, or if staying within your state. 

Flying with Marijuana between Legalized States

It remains ILLEGAL to fly with marijuana, whether medical or recreational, between two states where marijuana has been legalized.  This is an offense in several ways. You are flying through federal airspace, where any type of marijuana remains prohibited, as well as committing the offense of transporting a federally restricted substance across state lines. DO NOT FLY WITH MARIJUANA BETWEEN STATES, even if it has been legalized for recreational use in both the origine and destination state.  

Flying with Cannabis in California

As of October 2016, when Propostion 64 was passed to legalize recreational marijuana in the state of California, it is allowed to possess 28.5 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrated marijuana for personal use. Some airports, most notably Los Angeles International Airport, aka LAX International Airport, have stated that they will allow the possession of the legal quantities of marijuana at the airport. 

However, there is a catch when travelling, and that is the TSA checkpoint. This remains under federal authority, meaning that any type of marijuana, whether medical or recreational, is illegal at this point.  Although TSA agents are not searching for marijuana, if they do encounter it they may be legally obligated to notify authorities, and in this case possession will be considered a federal offense. Keep in mind, even if you make it through the TSA checkpoint with your marijuana, it is still illegal to cross a state line with marijuana. 

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