How to Fly with Weed in California
Jennifer Billock June 30, 2019
Flying through California any time soon, and also a fan of recreational marijuana? Here’s what you need to know so you don’t get in trouble when trying to get through California airports with some weed. Don’t be a statistic and get arrested like some others trying to smuggle large amounts through security.
Since legal use of recreational marijuana went into effect in California on January 1, 2018, marijuana-related arrests at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have increased exponentially thanks to people trying to smuggle large amounts of pot through security.
But what if you’re not a smuggler? What if you’re just a weed-happy traveler trying to take a few joints with you on a trip? Don’t worry too much—because you can fly with your pot, though with some restrictions.
If you go through TSA and they find you have marijuana, they still have to alert the authorities. But mostly TSA agents are looking for terrorist threats, so they’re not hunting for your pot. Airport police, once contacted, will determine if you’re carrying an allowable legal amount of “up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and 8 grams of concentrated marijuana for personal use,” according to the LA Times. That’s no small amount, either – 28.5 grams would fill a loosely packed baggie.
If you’re carrying more than that, you’ll be arrested and charged. Otherwise, you’re free to go on your way. But leave it in your bag in the air—airspace is regulated by federal laws, not local, so it’s still illegal in the sky. And be alert of where you’re taking it, as some states still classify it as an illegal drug.
[Featured Image: Shutterstock]
