Vacation is just around the corner, and you’re reviewing your packing list.
Toothpaste? Check. Cell phone charger? Check. Vape pen?
Sometimes you need to take your cannabis with you, and flying with a vape pen is a great way to do that.
If you’re here because you have questions about flying with weed, we’ve got you covered. Find out what’s legal and how best to pack your weed for your trip.
Flying with Vape Pens
There are plenty of vape pens out there, whether they are THC, CBD, nicotine, or some kind of herbal infusion. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strong guidelines about what you can and cannot bring on planes, including vapes.
According to the TSA website:
- Electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage.
- Passengers are required to take effective measures for preventing accidental activation of the heating element of the device when transporting the devices. See here for examples of effective measures.
- Each lithium ion battery must not exceed a Watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100 Wh; or for lithium metal batteries, a lithium content of 2 grams.
How does this apply to flying with weed?
The concern around vape pens is the battery-powered heating element that vaporizes the liquid. If the battery were to catch fire while in the cargo hold, it could mean serious danger for the aircraft and its passengers.
You can still bring a vape pen with you while flying, but it must remain in your carry-on, and it’s wise to remove the cartridge from the battery if possible. Note: Some vape pens are disposable, and you can’t separate the cartridge from the battery.
Legalities for Flying With Weed
Where you are traveling to should also play a role in how you go about flying with weed. Most importantly, don’t forget that marijuana is still illegal at a federal level, and air travel is federally regulated.
What about flying with weed in the same state?
TSA may pull you aside to determine the quantity if you show up at LAX with weed in your carry-on. If you are within California legal limits, you won’t get in trouble, but you won’t be able to get on the plane. Options include throwing it away or putting it in your parked car.
What about flying with weed between different states?
Even if both states have legal weed, crossing state lines with cannabis is illegal. That includes by foot, car, bus, train, or air. If your starting state has legal weed, you’ll likely be checked for legal limits and asked to dispose of the weed. If your starting state does not have legal weed, you will be dealing with law enforcement.
What about flying with weed to a different country?
Again, you’re looking at the same rules as you would flying between different states. However, many countries have severely strict cannabis laws. You do not want to get caught flying with weed in a foreign country that prohibits marijuana use.
Your best option is to be discreet, take care packing your weed vape, and play it cool.
Tips for Packing
When flying with weed in your carry on, there are a few tips and tricks to help ensure a seamless experience with TSA:
- Separate the battery from the cartridge and pack batteries separately in a secured bag.
- Don’t forget to pack a battery charger if you aren’t bringing a disposable vape pen.
- Don’t bring a full cartridge. Cabin pressure can cause an overly full tank to leak or shatter.
- If you bring refillable liquid, be sure it meets TSA liquid guidelines of 3.4 ounces or less.
- Remove any packaging or labels that might indicate that your vape is a THC or cannabis product.
If you have any concerns about traveling with tanks or cartridges, consider packing disposable vapes to ease your mind and eliminate worries about breakage or leakage.
FAQ
Will the TSA take my vape out of my carry-on?
No, TSA regulations require that vape pens remain in carry-on instead of checked luggage.
Can airport scanners see vape pens?
Airport scanners only register the batteries of vape pens, and so long as it is in your carry-on bag, you should have no issues.
Do vape pens set off metal detectors?
A vape pen will likely set off a metal detector. Remove the vape pen from your pockets and keep it in your carry-on luggage as you pass through security.
Safe Travels
Flying with a vape pen is a much better option than flying with fresh flower. If you travel with a non-descript vape pen, TSA has no reason to believe that it is cannabis and not nicotine or some other kind of e-liquid. Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll have no problem taking your vape pen along on all of your adventures.
If you are traveling to California, you can grab your vape when you arrive by finding a Bloom retailer location.
Traveling to California? Need Vapes for Your Trip?
We’ve got you covered here at Bloom. Whether you’re traveling to California, or need to stock up for your travels out of state, you can grab fresh live resin or distillate vapes to keep you elevated for your trip.
Ready for take off? Find Bloom vapes at a retailer near you.
