Sun, sea and CBD
With the popularity of including CBD in everyday wellness routines, the question arises, “is it legal for me to travel with my CBD?”. We hear this all the time and because CBD is derived from cannabis, there is a lot of confusion about what is and isn’t allowed, both domestically and abroad. In the UK, CBD products are legal when they contain less than 0.2% THC (the psychoactive compound from hemp) and a similar rule applies when carrying CBD products such as CBD drinks or CBD oil on a flight. But, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of the regulations for the UK and further afield, so you can travel in confidence. So, let us get into a little more detail about sun, sea and CBD.
What exactly is CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is a non-psychomimetic cannabinoid, so it won't make you high. Using various topical and ingestible CBD products can help you in a number of ways by interacting with your endocannabinoid system. CBD is frequently used by people to alleviate anxiety, stress, or sleeping issues (all great benefits if you’re a nervous flyer), but we also love it for providing better focus, mental clarity and a feeling of balance.
Is it legal to take CBD drinks or CBD oil, on a plane?
So, CBD sounds great, right? And we can totally understand - with all these benefits - why you wouldn’t want to leave your CBD products at home when you travel. Good news! It’s totally legal to travel with CBD, as long as certain regulations are followed.
CBD legality in the UK:
- In the UK, CBD products are legal as long as they comply with certain regulations. CBD drinks, oils and other products should contain no more than 0.2% THC. It's also important to make sure you purchase your products from a reputable brand, to ensure the THC quantity is verified.
Compliance with UK laws:
- To ensure a smooth travel experience, it's essential to comply with UK laws regarding CBD. Before your journey, verify that the CBD products you're carrying meet the legal requirements in terms of THC content and have been purchased from reputable British companies.
Travelling Abroad with CBD
Research local laws:
- If you plan to travel abroad, it's crucial to research the CBD regulations of your destination country. Each country has its own laws regarding CBD, ranging from strict restrictions to complete prohibition. Familiarise yourself with the legal landscape to ensure compliance and a hassle-free travel experience.
Considerations for international travel:
- When travelling internationally, it's important to remember that the laws and regulations governing CBD can vary significantly. Some countries may have strict restrictions or consider CBD as a controlled substance. It's advisable to leave CBD products at home to avoid legal complications in foreign jurisdictions.
Can you travel back to UK with CBD?
It’s not a problem to bring CBD products back into the UK that you’ve bought legally abroad, as long as they align with the previously stated UK law and customs’ regulations. Keep in mind that each person is given an allowance for goods purchased abroad that you can bring back into the UK - either as gifts or for yourself - which typically refers to products like booze or tobacco products. It’s always good to check these limits in advance.
Tips for Travelling with CBD
Research airline policies:
- Before your trip, check the specific policies of the airline you're flying with regarding CBD products.
Carry documentation:
- When travelling with CBD, it can be helpful to carry documentation such as lab reports or certificates of analysis from the manufacturer. These documents can provide evidence of the THC content and the legality of your CBD products, if requested.
Choose trusted brands:
- To ensure compliance with regulations and to have peace of mind, purchase CBD products from trusted UK companies that provide high-quality, lab-tested products with accurate labelling.
Hand luggage vs. hold:
- To minimise any potential issues, it's generally recommended to pack CBD products in your hand luggage rather than your checked bags. This allows you to keep the products within your reach and readily accessible if requested by airport security.
While the UK’s border laws are fairly flexible when it comes to travelling internationally with CBD products, there are many nations across the globe that consider CBD illegal or requiring perscription. Below we’ve outlined the current legal status of these nations (as of February 2023). Don’t forget to take into consideration any stop-overs during your flight!
|
Country |
Legal Status of CBD |
|
Australia Austria Argentia Belgium Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China Colombia Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland India Ireland Italy Japan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands New Zealand Norway Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Ukraine United States Uruguay Venezuela |
Legal (with prescription) Legal (THC limit 0.3%; cannot be sold as food supplement) Legal (with prescription) Illegal Illegal Legal (with prescription) Legal Legal Legal Illegal Legal Legal Legal Legal (THC limit 0.3%) Legal (with prescription) Illegal Illegal Legal Legal Legal Legal Legal Illegal Illegal Illegal Legal Legal (THC limit 0.6%) Legal (but must not contain THC) Legal Legal (THC limit 0.3%) Legal Legal (THC limit 0.3%) Legal (with prescription) Legal Legal (with prescription) Legal (with prescription) Legal (with prescription) Legal Legal Legal Legal Illegal Illegal Illegal Legal Legal Legal Legal (but must not contain THC) Legal (THC limit 1%) Legal Legal (but must not contain THC) Illegal (legal in some states) Legal Illegal |
Conclusion
Travelling with CBD requires careful consideration of the laws and regulations both in the UK and your destination country. While CBD is legal in the UK within specific parameters, regulations may differ when travelling abroad. It's crucial to research and comply with the local laws to avoid any legal complications during your journey. By understanding the guidelines and taking necessary precautions, you can travel confidently while enjoying the potential benefits of CBD.
Happy holidays!