iStockphoto
The summer travel season is in full swing. It is a time when the youth of America spreads its wings and flocks to distant lands, far, far away from anyone that knows their name, in an attempt to learn a little bit more about themselves than they understood the summer before. This soul-searching exercise typically includes lots of booze, the occasional mind-altering substance and, if they’re lucky, an opportunity to be promiscuous with one or more beautiful people before it is time to go home.
But now that marijuana is legal in a growing number of states, including California and Nevada, one of the latest novelties on the travel scene is for people to venture off to these cannabis-friendly locations to relish in legal weed without the risk of getting beaten by police.
But, in spite of it being pretty damn cool to have the freedom to walk into any number of marijuana dispensaries and buy pot products in a manner similar to booze, there are a few things that every toker traveler needs to know before they get to that point.
Flying With Marijuana
Even in states where marijuana is legally acceptable, it is strictly off-limits when it comes to air travel. Although a number of states now allow adults 21 and older to possess and use marijuana relatively freely, the herb is still a Schedule I dangerous drug in the eyes of the federal government. So transporting pot on a plane comes with some risk. The good news is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is not on a mission to bust people for weed. These agents, who see thousands upon thousands of travelers each day, have bigger issues to worry about, like preventing explosive devices, weapons and anything else that could threaten the safety of American citizens from getting on the plane. TSA agents do not give two flying squirts about marijuana.
“We’re looking for items that will bring down an airplane,” Nico Melendez, spokesman for the TSA, told the Cannifornian.
But unfortunately, these representatives of Homeland Security can and will call the cops if they happen to discover weed in someone’s bag. The outcome of the situation, that is to say, whether you will be asked to simply forfeit your stash or be dragged to jail, kicking and screaming, really depends on if the bust happens in a legal or prohibition state.
Let’s say an agent working at Los Angeles International airport finds an ounce of weed in a bag. As per TSA protocol, the ticket holder is going to be pulled out of line to wait for local law enforcement to seal their fate. But since marijuana is legal in California, as long as the possession amount is not over the legal limit, all an officer can do is confiscate the weed, perhaps issue the passenger a fine and turn them loose. No big deal.
But in a prohibition state, like Indiana, the scenario can go down much differently. If a passenger there is caught with weed, TSA will, once again, follow protocol – calling in law enforcement to sort it out. Possession of any amount of marijuana is a no-no in the Hoosier state, so the cops are going to arrest the passenger and take them directly to jail. This, of course, will cause them to miss their flight and suffer criminal charges.
So, if you are going to smuggle marijuana on a plane, it is best to do it in a state where the substance is legal. Fines are easier to deal with than prison sentences. Also, it is advised to keep bud stashes at around an eighth of an ounce. “Small amounts of edibles should also move through security checkpoints undetected,” according to The Fresh Toast. “We would, however, suggest avoid bringing THC-infused beverages or other cannabis liquids. These types of items are more likely to set off a red flag.”
Furthermore, try “stashing a few buds in a bottle of Ibuprofen or other over the counter medication works,” the FT goes on to explain. “If trying to smuggle edibles, especially gummies or chocolates, just switch out the wrappers before going to the airport – give them the appearance of regular store bought candy. TSA doesn’t have the time to shakedown folks with a sweet tooth.”
Driving With Marijuana
Traveling by car can be a bit more treacherous when it comes to marijuana possession. As long as the four wheels are in a legal state, it is perfectly acceptable to have personal amounts of weed in a vehicle. Just be sure to find out the possession limits prior to your visit. They vary from state-to-state. But it is when those wheels cross state lines that the risk for legal woes vastly increase. Once again, because the federal government still considers marijuana an outlaw substance, crossing imaginary borders with any amount of marijuana can lead to drug trafficking charges. And this crime can lead to years in federal prison.
Even if Uncle Sam’s dope agents don’t get you, there is a distinct possibility that state or local law enforcement will. In fact, police agencies in states that neighbor legal jurisdictions are watching (license plate profiling) for out of state motorists who may have marijuana onboard, hoping they will cross the center line, go a tad over the speed limit or fail to signal properly. Even if the charges do not stick, police can still asset forfeiture laws to seize cars, cash and other valuable property. In other words, smuggling a little weed back home is not worth the risk.
“It’s better to keep and consume your cannabis in the state where you bought it,” says Seattle-based attorney Alison Malsbury.
Mike Adams is a freelance writer for High Times, Cannabis Now, and Forbes. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.