Traveling is not what it used to be. What used to be a fairly easy process from the ticket agent to the gate has now turned into a multi-step process aimed at maintaining “safety” that can take hours.
Travel precautions and restrictions are increasing in number. These extra measures can leave many people paranoid and uneasy, wondering perhaps if traveling with CBD is legal.
Laws around hemp have relaxed in much of the Western world however CBD is not as widely known outside Europe and the Americas. This article is going to give you some tips on traveling with CBD so your journey is safe and hassle-free.
Taking CBD Abroad on Holiday
The following is a list of countries often asked about with regards to the legality of CBD and the availability of CBD-based products:
Australia
CBD is legal in Australia following a relaxation on the laws surrounding cannabis. Medicinal cannabis and CBD products were legalized in Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales in 2016.
European Union/United Kingdom
CBD-based products are legal throughout the European Union and the United Kingdom so long as the THC content is less than 2%.
Canada
Cannabidiol became legal for recreational and medical use by the federal Cannabis Act in 2018, however CBD products in Canada could only be sold by authorized retailers or federally licensed medical companies.
Carrying cannabis or cannabis-derived products across the Canadian border into the United States is illegal unless otherwise declared.
New Zealand
New Zealand passed the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act in December 2018. The main effect that resulted is that CBD-based products are considered prescription medicines and only allowed if the THC content does not exceed 2%.
Sweden
Products containing CBD are classified as medical products in Sweden. The Supreme Court of Sweden recently ruled that CBD oil with any concentration of THC is subject to laws governing narcotic control.
Switzerland
CBD products containing less than 1% THC can be sold and purchased legally in Switzerland.
United States
CBD that is extracted from marijuana continues to be classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance in the United States.
Conversely, CBD products with less than 0.3% THC (from hemp) are legal to sell as a cosmetic but cannot be sold as a food, dietary supplement or animal food.
Rest of the World
CBD is gaining widespread acceptance throughout many countries, such as those mentioned above. Its use in other countries in Asia, Africa and South America appears to be illegal and/or limited.
3 Tips for Travelling with CBD
1. Avoid traveling with CBD flowers or hash
Gate agents and security staff at the airport are always looking to bust people for a wide variety of reasons. CBD flowers and hash may not get a person high but they still look and smell exactly like marijuana. We advise strongly on leaving these products at home in our belief that they will immediately get anyone into trouble.
2. Do extensive research before traveling
While your favourite CBD-based balm or drops may do wonders for relieving pain, not all airport agents will understand that as many people continue to equate CBD with “weed”. This may get you into trouble. That’s why its always best to do extensive research on current laws before traveling.
Laws change frequently – especially those concerning cannabis and any products containing CBD. Calling a local embassy or official at the airport may the absolute best way to get the most current information.
3. Source out CBD products in advance
Some people may want to avoid the hassle of airport agents altogether and leave the CBD-based products at home. That doesn’t mean they must forgo CBD altogether. When traveling throughout the EU, Canada, the US or UK, they may find that CBD products are widely available. A search on the internet will help them source out a store in advance that they can visit upon their arrival.
A Final Word: Are CBD products safe to take abroad on holiday?
Here at Green Cuisine, our priority is to serve our customers in a fair and ethical way. Having said that, we’d prefer that all our users would be extra-cautious when traveling with CBD.
CBD is not legal in most parts of the world. The public is also not very educated when it comes to CBD, equating it with marijuana and “getting high”. Even in places where laws are relaxed (like Canada), taking it across borders is illegal.
To be completely covered, we think it’s probably safest to leave all CBD-based products at home. Airport security is increasingly becoming stricter as time goes on and the last thing people need when traveling are extra hassles at the airport.
