There is so much to hate about this country but, compared to many others, it's not bad. It used to be "free" and now it's getting to be more hyperbole than freedom. I mean, really, to make it illegal for somebody to smoke/carry marijuana... What da heck, unless the pax lights up in the cabin, it should be a non issue. More of a threat is the pax carrying on board glass bottles of liquor bought in the terminal. What's to stop a pax getting out a bottle, smashing the top off and then using it as a weapon in the cabin? Purchases of liquor are allowed from terminal shops after security, right? And now, TSA is going to delay, call police for a passenger for bringing med marijuana on a plane? What does that have to do with airline security? Can't distinguish between "illegal" and medicinal marijuana? So what, I suppose same applies to all kinds of prescription drugs.

Highlighting above mine.


What does TSA have to do with airline security? It's all smoke and mirrors.

What troubles me about this is that the TSA can confiscate a legally prescribed drug. I realize it's against federal law, but I don't want the TSA taking away a drug that a doctor feels is the correct treatment for a medical condition. It's especially infuriating because this is a substance that poses absolutely zero threat to the safety of the plane or passengers.

Got news for you - ever try flying with a prescription of nitro pills (in the original, prescription-labelled bottle)?

Hint: don't.

'Surrender' will be the least of your concerns, trust me, and 'surrender' will not be an option, nor will leaving the checkpoint to dispose of the pills elsewhere (car). I am supposed to have the pills on me at all times, but never again when flying.

I'm hope the idiots didn't take the pills home to see if they'd get a rush from taking them....

Medical cocaine indeed. Do some ENTs, anesthesiologists or oral surgeons ever fly commercially with that for professional reasons?

Some of the cocaine used for medical research purposes can be "cut with a blade and snorted with a $100 bill". Some such cocaine continues to be paid for with federal funds, and some cocaine picked up from street/house drug busts is even still being provided by law enforcement officials to medical researchers for legitimate medical research. Some such cocaine provided for with or via federal resources has been used unlawfully by researchers for their own consumption or even distribution to minors.

Can you expound a bit?

Aside from the issue of drugs, is this language new: "if an item is found that may violate federal law during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to law enforcement."? Think of the things that they could determine "may" violate federal law. Think of how often they could be wrong. Think of how impossible it is for the average citizen to determine what falls under that huge umbrella. Think of the potential for abuse? (All of which are par for the course re the TSA.) There was a time, not that long ago, when the concept of "void for vagueness" had some meaning.

The 11th Federal Circuit court disagrees. To quote a portion of a ruling: "If you believe that the TSA is not a law enforcement agency, you are fooling yourself."

TSA clerks are not le & I dare one of them to tell me to my face they are.

Just sayin in function only, what TSA does is law enforcement.

Easy the average govt clerk is not a sworn LEO, a very small population of TSA employees are LEO. Those in that population make me think minor league rookies on average from what I have seen.

I would dare a govt clerk to arrest me ... would make for a fun time for me and a legal and physical headache/ulcer for the clerk and those over them. I would have that little reimbursed liability policy maxed out and then some so it came out of each clerks pocket as well.

Do you have arrest powers?

Anybody can make a citizen's arrest, that's what store security and loss prevention does. Not advocating that TSA should make arrests, but the idea that they can't is just a fallacy. In most instances, whenever a sworn law enforcement officer makes an arrest for a misdemeanor committed outside of their presence, what they're really doing is taking custody of somebody that has been placed under a citizen's arrest by a private individual.

The only true L/E function at TSA is carried out by the FAMS. The remainder of TSA implements/excercises the federal regulatory scheme that governs aviation safety.

They will likely summon federal authorities in all states that have medical NJ laws as well.

If the person and/or belongings are selected for ETD screening, that's an indicator of trouble ahead when in possession of such prescribed medication.

When swipe sample from person or belongings is sent for an ETD, the ETD alarm goes off and the TSA keeps escalating matters, potentially up to the point of having to deal with FBI interrogation.