If cannabis use is legal in both your state and the state or country you are flying to, is it legal to fly with cannabis? The answer to the question is, no. Only for some very specific flights between jurisdictions and airports that have legalized marijuana possession, it’s okay to bring a legal amount of cannabis products with you. Those are few and far between. Otherwise, you’re taking a chance.
As of April 2025, cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The Biden administration had empowered a committee for the rescheduling of cannabis, but the Trump administration has not made its plans clear.
Despite federal law, many states allow the possession and use of cannabis. As of April 2025, 24 states permitted medical and recreational use, another 15 allowed medical use only, and seven states have decriminalized possession of small amounts. However, even in states where it is legal, cannabis possession is illegal on any federal land. Anything with over 0.3% THC falls under Schedule I. This includes cannabidiol (CBD) items such as cookies or infused drinks.
Federal drug trafficking charges are enforced by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and are serious and severe. Possession of a single plant in a federal jurisdiction is a felony with at least five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for a first offense. Federal lands do not fall under the jurisdiction of state law.
It’s a common perception that airports are considered federal territory, but that’s not always the case. Many airports are privately owned, but if they receive grants from the federal government they have obligations that might cause them to be more vigilant about cannabis on the premises.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency in charge of airport security. As anyone who has taken an airplane to travel knows, TSA officers act as airport police and man the security screening checkpoints all passengers must go through before being allowed on a plane.
That being said, TSA security officers are generally focused on security and threats, not marijuana. TSA agents are not actively searching for cannabis and will not perform a specific search through a passenger’s carry-on bags to find any. However, if they spot an illicit substance such as edibles or illegal drugs during passage through their security checkpoint they can alert a local law enforcement officer. Whether or not they do so will likely depend on the marijuana laws of the state you’re in.
If you’re determined to carry cannabis on your flight, at least you won’t have to worry about a dog ratting you out. The legalization of cannabis in so many states has led to canines no longer being trained to react to the smell of pot.
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