Look, the short answer is zero. Honestly. If you want the technical, legal, "don't-get-arrested" answer, the amount of weed you can fly with is absolutely none because the federal government still thinks cannabis is in the same league as heroin. It's annoying. It's outdated. But it's the reality of the sky.
Even if you’re flying from LAX to SFO—a route where you’re staying entirely within the legal, weed-friendly borders of California—you are entering federal airspace the second you step through those humming gray metal detectors. The TSA doesn't care that you have a valid medical card or that the dispensary down the street is legal. They operate under federal law. Period.
The TSA’s Weird Stance on How Much Weed Can You Fly With
Here is the thing about the TSA: they aren’t looking for your stash. They really aren't. Their official mission is "transportation security," which basically means they are looking for things that go boom, things that poke, and things that cause mass chaos on a plane. They are not drug dogs in human form.
In fact, the TSA has explicitly stated on their own website and social media channels—shoutout to their Instagram team for being surprisingly funny—that their screening procedures are focused on security and detecting potential threats to aviation and passengers. They don’t actively hunt for your eighth of Blue Dream.
But.
If they find it? They can’t just ignore it. If a TSA officer stumbles across your gummies or your jar while looking for a misplaced oversized bottle of shampoo, they are required by federal law to notify local law enforcement. That is where the "how much weed can you fly with" question gets messy. It’s not about the TSA arresting you; it's about what the local cops at the airport decide to do once they get called to the screening lane.
Different Airports, Different Vibes
At LAX, the Los Angeles Airport Police Department actually has a policy on this. They basically said back in 2018 that since weed is legal in California, their officers aren't going to spend time arresting people for possessing amounts that are legal under state law (up to 28.5 grams). So, if TSA finds a small amount of weed at LAX, they call the airport police, the police look at it, see it's legal under state law, and... usually just let you go. Sometimes they might make you throw it away.
But try that in Dallas-Fort Worth? You're going to have a very bad, very expensive day.
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The 0.3% Rule: The Hemp Loophole
There is one very specific exception to the "zero" rule. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal. This means you can technically fly with CBD oil or certain gummies, provided they meet that strict THC threshold.
- Check the label for "Hemp-Derived."
- Ensure it’s under the 0.3% limit.
- Bring the lab results (COA) if you're extra paranoid.
If you’re carrying a bottle of CBD tincture, the TSA is likely going to treat it just like any other liquid. If it’s over 3.4 ounces, it goes in the bin. If it’s under, you’re usually fine. But don't expect a TSA agent to be a chemist. If your CBD bottle looks like a bottle of high-potency THC oil, you’re still risking a massive headache and a missed flight.
What About International Flights?
Don't. Just don't even think about it.
Flying with any amount of cannabis internationally is a one-way ticket to a nightmare. You aren't just dealing with the TSA anymore; you're dealing with Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These folks have way more power and much less patience. Even if you are flying from Seattle to Vancouver—two places where weed is totally legal—crossing that international line with cannabis is considered international drug trafficking.
Remember Brittney Griner? That was a geopolitical nightmare sparked by vape cartridges. Even if you think a country is "chill," their border agents are usually the opposite of chill.
Why Your "Hidden" Stash is a Bad Idea
People get creative. They put joints in cigarette packs. They stuff gummies into Haribo bags. They hide wax in jars of lip balm. Here’s the problem: when you try to hide something, it looks suspicious on the X-ray.
A mass of organic material—which is how weed shows up—tucked inside a hollowed-out book or taped inside a shampoo bottle looks exactly like the kind of improvised explosive device the TSA is trained to find. By trying to be sneaky, you are actually increasing the odds that a human being will open your bag and manually inspect it.
The Reality of Vapes and Concentrates
Vapes are a gray area that a lot of people exploit, though it's still technically illegal. To an X-ray machine, a weed pen looks almost identical to a nicotine vape. Since the TSA allows electronic cigarettes and vaping devices in carry-on bags (they actually forbid them in checked bags because the batteries can catch fire), these often slip through unnoticed.
However, if an officer pulls your bag because you left a laptop inside and they see a cartridge labeled "100% PURE THC," you’re back to square one.
Practical Realities of Airport Law Enforcement
If you are caught with a small amount of cannabis in a legal state airport, the most common outcomes are:
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- The officer tells you to throw it in a "amnesty box."
- They tell you to take it back to your car.
- They take it and dispose of it but let you board.
- They do absolutely nothing because the paperwork isn't worth their time.
In an illegal state? You could be looking at a misdemeanor or felony charge, a trip to the local precinct, and a permanent spot on a "no-fly" list if things go south. It’s a gamble. Is a $40 eighth worth a $5,000 lawyer and a criminal record? Probably not.
What To Do If You’re Stopped
If a TSA agent pulls a bag of weed out of your carry-on, don't panic. Don't run. That makes it a security threat.
Be polite. Be quiet. Most of the time, the agent is just as annoyed by the paperwork as you are. They don't want to call the cops; they want to get through the line of 300 grumpy travelers behind you. If they call a police officer over, be respectful. If you’re in a legal state, simply stating that you believed it was permitted under state law is usually enough to keep things civil.
Actionable Steps for the Modern Traveler
Since you're looking for the bottom line on how much weed can you fly with, here is how you should actually handle your travel plans if you're a cannabis consumer.
Buy it when you land. This is the only 100% safe way to have weed on your vacation. If you are flying to a legal state, there is almost certainly a dispensary within ten minutes of the airport. Use apps like Weedmaps or Leafly to find a spot before you even take off. Many dispensaries even offer delivery to hotels or Airbnbs.
Clean your gear.
If you're bringing a favorite glass pipe or a grinder, clean it until it looks brand new. Use 91% isopropyl alcohol and salt. If there is no resin or "smell" on the device, it's just a piece of glass or metal. Once it has residue, it’s legally "paraphernalia," which can get you in trouble even if you don't have actual flower on you.
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Respect the Amnesty Boxes.
Some airports, like Chicago O'Hare or Las Vegas Harry Reid, have "Amnesty Boxes" before the security checkpoints. These are there for a reason. If you realize you forgot a joint in your pocket, drop it in the box. No questions asked, no police called. It’s a free pass to fix a mistake.
Check the airline’s specific policy.
While federal law is the big dog, airlines have their own rules. Most major carriers like Delta, United, and American have explicit bans on marijuana in their contract of carriage. If they find it, they can kick you off the flight and ban you from the airline, regardless of what the local police say.
Don't put it in your checked bag.
This is a common mistake. People think the checked bag is "private." It’s actually subject to more intrusive searches because you aren't there to open it. If the TSA sees something weird on the scan, they will cut your lock, search the bag, and leave you a nice little "Notice of Baggage Inspection" card—and they'll take your weed.
At the end of the day, the risk-to-reward ratio for flying with weed is just bad. The "amount" you can fly with is zero if you want to be safe, and "whatever you can afford to lose (plus your freedom)" if you want to be risky. Use your head, stay informed about the specific laws of your departure and arrival cities, and remember that federal property—like an airplane—is a different world than the street outside your house.
Next Steps:
- Research the local laws of your destination airport specifically, as "legal states" often have different rules for airport possession.
- Verify the COA (Certificate of Analysis) for any CBD products you plan to carry to ensure they fall under the 0.3% THC federal limit.
- Locate a dispensary near your arrival airport so you can purchase fresh products legally and safely upon landing.