Can You Take CBD On A Plane? Everything You Need To Know
CBD or Cannabidiol is a compound from the hemp plant known to provide a wide range of health benefits, from stress relief to good treatment for anxiety. Many products containing CBD oil are accepted in many countries across the world as people have been claiming that hemp-derived CBD oil helps their overall health and wellbeing in a lot of different cases.
Since CBD’s popularity has skyrocketed in most places and people have included it in their daily routine, some people can’t help but wonder if CBD is safe and whether it’s okay to take it on a plane. This article will discuss all the information regarding CBD’s legality in the UK.
Is it Legal to Take CBD Oil onto a Plane in the UK?
Yes. You can take CBD oil on domestic flights within the UK, as well as on international flights to the UK as long as it meets all the specific rules and criteria set out by the UK law on cannabis-derived products.
According to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, medical cannabis and all CBD products are legal under UK law as long as it has no more than 0.2% THC, which is the main psychoactive ingredient from the cannabis plant that causes people to feel the “high”.
Flying Abroad: CBD Facts
- If your CBD product is part of prescribed medication, unlikely but not impossible in the UK, it is safest to carry the prescription or a letter of authorization from the prescriber for the CBD in question.
- You can place your CBD oil in your hand luggage for easier travel, or in your suitcase.
- Contact your flight provider, customs, and destination airport in advance to confirm if you can bring CBD oil to your flight as not all airlines allow it.
Liquid Laws
The liquid rule varies from airline to airline. But most airlines allow passengers to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size liquid containers that are up to 100 millilitres (mL) or 3.4 ounces (oz) only. In the UK, containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm.
However, if you have prescribed medication containing CBD, it will fall under the UK guidelines regarding medicines or medical equipment, which means that you’re allowed to carry more than 100 mL of CBD.
Can you take CBD in your carry on?
Yes. It is entirely up to you whether you want to place your CBD oil in your carry on or just pack it in your suitcase. Many CBD oil users prefer to keep their cannabis oils and products in their carry-ons, particularly if they are nervous flyers and would need to take their supplements at a specific time. Some people also prefer carrying it with them as they are worried about losing their luggage or the flight being delayed.
However, remember that some countries still associate CBD as an illegal drug and you may come across people assuming that it is illegal or not allowed on the plane so it’s important to check with your destination and arrival airports before bringing you CBD oil in your carry on for less hassle.
Changing and Connecting Flights with CBD
But what if your flight is not a direct flight and you have a connecting flight to another country? If you’ve already talked to the airline of your destination country, you also need to talk to the airline where your connecting flight is. Even if you’re only staying for a few hours, you will still fall under their jurisdiction.
Places To Avoid When Travelling with CBD
The understanding of CBD and its legality across the world is still improving due to its increasing demand. However, some countries are still reluctant to fully accept the substance as it came from the cannabis plant. Until CBD is legalized in all countries around the world, you should know what countries accept CBD to not cause any issues. The list below are the countries that don’t accept CBD yet.
| Country | |
| China | Although China is known for its longstanding tradition of using cannabis, CBD is not legal in China. Domestically, hemp is only legal in China for industrial use and not used as a food supplement. However, in Hong Kong, CBD is legal as long as the products contain THC low levels of THC. Individuals caught in possession of cannabis in China shall be detained for 10 to 15 days and be fined a maximum of 2,000 yuan. |
| Belgium | The country has a reputation for having a lax view towards cannabis and cannabis-derived products and its national laws are not the same as the European Union laws when it comes to CBD oil. Individuals caught in possession of cannabis will get 3 months to 1-year imprisonment and/or a fine of 8,000 to 800,000 euros. |
| Russia | All cannabis products are illegal in Russia regardless of the amounts of THC they contain. Cannabis possession in Russia is an administrative offence punishable by a fine or 15 days of detention. In the worst-case scenario, a person may be sentenced to up to 3 years imprisonment. |
| Singapore | It is unlikely for Singapore to legalize the use of CBD supplements or any cannabis products soon as they believe that it should not be used in health supplements. They believe that it is developed for use in medicines known to affect a person’s mental state. Possession or consumption of cannabis is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or 20,000 Singaporean dollars. |
| United States (although legal in some states) | Although medical marijuana is legal in 37 states, state, state laws on the legality of CBD vary widely. If CBD oil comes from hemp, then it is legal on a federal level. If the CBD oil comes from marijuana, it’s federally illegal. Remember that every US state allows for the use of cannabis in some form, but each state’s laws are different. Possession of marijuana in the US is punishable by up to 1-year imprisonment and a fine of 1000 US dollars for a first conviction. For a second conviction, the penalties increase to a 15-day mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum of 2 years in prison and a fine of up to 2,500 US dollars. |
Which European Countries can you bring CBD oil to?
| Country | Legal Status of CBD |
| Austria | Legal but can’t be sold as a food supplement |
| Bulgaria | Legal |
| The Czech Republic | Legal |
| Denmark | Legal but requires prescription |
| Estonia | Legal |
| Finland | Legal |
| France | Legal |
| Germany | Legal |
| Greece | Legal |
| Hungary | Legal |
| Italy | Legal |
| Latvia | Legal |
| Luxembourg | Legal |
| Malta | Legal for medical use |
| Netherlands | Legal |
| North Macedonia | Legal for medical use |
| Norway | Legal for medical use |
| Poland | Legal |
| Portugal | Legal for medical use |
| Romania | Legal |
| Slovenia | Legal |
| Sweden | Legal but must not contain THC |
| Spain | Legal |
| Switzerland | Legal |
| Ukraine | Legal but must not contain THC |
| United Kingdom | Legal |
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re travelling to or from the UK, generally speaking, yes, you can bring your CBD oil with you on a plane. The UK law also allows you to travel with your CBD oil in your carry on if it meets the specific rules your destination country has set out. However, you should still check with the local laws and regulations at your destination airport and the country you’re going to have your connecting flight just to be sure.
