What about flying with actual weed? Border crossings? How about seeds in checked luggage? In the time of broader legalization, it can be a huge help to know before you go.
So, the US, Canada, Uruguay, and The Netherlands all have pretty straight forward and stoner friendly recreational cannabis laws, but that doesn’t actually mean you should be climbing on a plane with fresh seeds or hash anytime soon. What about travelling with a few precious nugs? That also can be stickier than a strain of white widow.
For most cannabis related travel, it’s often best to stick to online retailers when it comes to toting marijuana seeds and paraphernalia. While it may not land you in cuffs, you are apt to lose the precious cargo that you’ve gone out of your way to acquire. When in doubt, mail it out- but in the meantime, here’s a handy guide for those prefer to travel high class.
Can You Bring Seeds on an Airplane? Best Not.
In fact, most seeds- whether they’re for weed or actual tomato plants, shouldn’t be brought across borders. Many countries have some pretty strict policies about vegetation from other countries crossing their borders. In most states of the US, possession of marijuana seeds isn’t actually illegal, nor is receiving them via your local postie. However, flying with these little guys is illegal.
Stories abound of clever little hiding hacks when it comes to the transport of seeds, rolling them up in socks, putting them inside trail mix, one user even commented that you can dip them in wax and glue them onto clothing… however, all of these transport “options” require you to remove seeds from their protective packaging. This can expose seeds to excess moisture, bacteria, or other bits that can inhibit future growth. With the long-time legitimacy of mail order programs, there’s really no reason to risk confiscation, fines, or the health of your seeds. So it’s best to think twice before trying to smuggle feminized seeds on a flight.
What About Pipes and Bongs? Go For It.
Smoking devices are another part of weed culture that can also easily be purchased online or mailed directly to your door. So if you’re worried about it, go ahead and slip it into the local post office before you travel. However, as long as there isn’t any weed in them, there’s no law that says you can’t travel with these devices- as long as it’s apparent that their intended use is for “tobacco products only”.
Despite the obvious overtones of bongs, pipes, and vaporizers being used for weed consumption; as long as there is no weed or resin to be found, it’s pretty hard to prove that’s your intention. When flying, TSA agents don’t look specifically for drug paraphernalia, but if they find it, it can be subject to further screening and scrutiny. So if you are packing glass, make sure that it’s not only squeaky clean, but you also pencil in some extra time for a possible chat with custom officials.
Flying High? All Signs Point to Yes.
If you’re in a weed friendly country and prefer a toke to settle the nerves of travel, go for it. As long as you’re not in possession of the devil’s lettuce, you can be mostly as high as you want in an airport. There are rules that restrict visibly intoxicated passengers from flying, but that rarely applies to someone with red eyes.
Better yet, consider toting an incognito edible along for the ride. Custom agents are not equipped to test foods that passengers bring with them, so as long as you don’t have a label on your brownie that says it’s pumped full of THC goodness, you should be alright. Edibles are ideal for flying because they usually take a little while to kick in. So if you’re not comfortable toting a cookie for your in flight entertainment, you can always eat before you hit the airport.
Can I Bring Weed on a Flight? Depends.
Flying with actual nuggets is a little less straightforward than some of the other recommendations we have for you. Flying with weed depends heavily on how much you’re carrying, where you’re at to begin with, and where you’re headed. Keep in mind, that in a large majority of the world, weed is still criminalized. So anytime you risk flying with marijuana, you risk jail time.
That being said, hopping an interprovincial flight in Canada with less than 30g isn’t really a problem. In fact, it’s totally legal as long as you’re of age and aren’t toking up on airport grounds. Running around LAX to SFO, or getting a flight across Oregon and you’re not bound to run into many troubles. As long as the amount of weed you have on you is negligible, and you don’t plan on crossing any non-weed friendly borders, you can generally get away with your pot unscathed. A few TSA agents out of California have even reported that their primary goal is “education” over incarceration. So in most recreationally legal states, you won’t be able to fly with it, but you’re unlikely to go to jail should you be caught packing.