The TSA Is OK With You Bringing Pot on the Plane in Los Angeles
Jennifer Billock September 27, 2018
Marijuana users heading through Los Angeles, there’s a new rule in place that works in your favor. Travelers transiting through Los Angeles International Airport are now able to carry legal amounts of cannabis through security and onto their flights—though it’s still illegal to smoke it in the airport.
Los Angeles International Airport just got a bit greener with a new policy about marijuana. Now, travelers heading to a flight at LAX can carry legal amounts of cannabis through security and onto their planes. Here’s the official new policy from the LAX website:
While federal law prohibits the possession of marijuana (inclusive of federal airspace,) California’s passage of proposition 64, effective January 1, 2018, allows for individuals 21 years of age or older to possess up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and 8 grams of concentrated marijuana for personal consumption.
In accordance with Proposition 64, the Los Angeles Airport Police Department will allow passengers to travel through LAX with up to 28.5 grams of marijuana and 8 grams of concentrated marijuana. However, passengers should be aware that marijuana laws vary state by state and they are encouraged to check the laws of the states in which they plan to travel.
Keep in mind that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to smoke pot at the airport—just transport it. And it’s not all airports in California, either. Even though the state legalized it, each airport throughout the state may have different policies. This new rule at LAX, though, is in accordance with the local police force’s wishes.
[Image: pxhere]
For several years, Congress has forbidden the DOJ from spending money prosecuting medical marijuana users who are compliant with state laws. However, that provision expires on Sunday and I can't find any evidence it's going to be renewed. Regardless, when TSA finds firearms, local law enforcement doesn't always recommend charges, and things usually stop there. If they bring in Federal law enforcement when local law authorities don't prosecute for marijuana, or if they use CBP for non-border related crimes, it will be pretty clear their motivation is political.
Nothing in the posted release says TSA is going to cooperate. Seems I remember TSA claiming that if a screener sees something suspected to be MJ they are required to call police.
What a misleading headline! Just because some port authority police department say they won't prosecute doesn't mean it's legal. Marijuana, even "medicinal" marijuana, is still 100% illegal under U.S. Federal law. Carrying it on the airplane, especially over state lines, is still a federal crime. I don't know what DOT/FAA laws regarding passengers carrying this stuff is, but I'm sure they would have a problem with it as well. TSA isn't a law enforcement agency, but CBP & air marshals are, and you better believe illegal drugs is exactly the sort of thing CBP is interested in.