Everything you need to know about flying with edibles

Cannabis is now legal in more states than it is not, whether speaking of recreational or medical cannabis. So, can you bring edibles on a plane in 2025?

Let’s take a quick quiz:

1. You live in a state where medical cannabis is legal, and you have a current prescription for it from your doctor. Can you take it with you when you fly?
2. You live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, and you are flying to another state where it is also legal. Can you bring it with you on a plane?
3. Airport TSA Agents follow different policies on flying with cannabis, following the laws of the states in which they are located. True or false?

You might be surprised to know that the answers are no, no, and false. Let’s take a look at the legalities around bringing edibles on plane trips while traveling.

CAN YOU BRING EDIBLES ON A PLANE?

No, but there are stipulations when it comes to THC gummies on flights. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the only cannabis-related products that are legal to bring onto a plane (in either carry-on or checked baggage) are those that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC or medication that has been approved by the FDA.

This is because airports, whether in a state where marijuana is legal or not, are operated by the federal government, and cannabis products containing more than .3% THC are illegal at the federal level and in airports. When an individual goes through a TSA security checkpoint, that person has entered the federally controlled territory of the airport which extends to the aircraft and its airspace.

That said, the TSA’s own statement points out that its mission is security, and its priority is detecting threats to passengers and aircraft. The agency’s security officers aren’t searching for your edibles or spending all their time scouting out which passengers are flying with gummies. Just the same, if they discover any during screening, they’ll do one of two things: throw the edibles away or alert the authorities and let a law enforcement officer handle it.

What about packing edibles in your checked bag?

Packing edibles in your checked bag has the same result as walking through security with them. If they are discovered during a search of your bag by TSA, they can hand them over to local law enforcement who will take it from there. If you’re lucky, which is more likely, the THC edibles will be confiscated and disposed of.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU’RE CAUGHT WITH EDIBLES IN AN AIRPORT?

Different states may take different levels of action if you are caught with edibles at one of their airports.

At Los Angeles International Airport, even though their policy notes that although TSA screening checkpoints are under federal jurisdiction, the Airport Police Division won’t arrest an individual in the airport if he or she does not exceed the legal amount in their possession, which is up to 28.5 grams.

Likewise, while Massachusetts law allows a person to carry an ounce of cannabis at a time, the law itself makes the point that it is illegal to use any form of it (smoking, edibles, even vaping) in public or on federal land. Despite the legality of small amounts, if the TSA discovers your edibles during an airport security check at Boston Logan International Airport, they may contact the Massachusetts State Police at their discretion. Logan Airport is mostly known for disposing of edibles on plane travelers if they are found, but they do have the legal option to call the cops.

A few airports, including Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, have installed “amnesty boxes,” where travelers can dispose of cannabis and related products without penalty. And others, including Denver International Airport, still prohibit cannabis anywhere on airport property.

Airports with amnesty boxes include:

• Las Vegas McCarran International Airport
• O’Hare International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• Colorado Springs Airport

Please note that these regulations, as well as state and federal laws, only govern American citizens when they are in the United States. Cannabis laws around the world vary greatly, and getting caught in a country where it’s illegal can have serious ramifications. The U.S. State Department has even warned travelers against traveling with CBD oil in their luggage.

Can You Fly Domestic with Edibles?

Whether traveling internationally or domestically, the same rules apply when it comes to flying with edibles. Federal restrictions are still in place as of 2025 that make traveling with cannabis illegal by plane, even if it is from one legal state to another.

With that in mind, some airports are relatively lax when it comes to cannabis, especially in terms of domestic flights. For example, if you are caught trying to get away with flying with edibles at Logan Airport, you will most likely see your items discarded. However, many travelers do take the risk of taking THC gummies on flights because most TSA agents aren’t really on the lookout for a pack of gummies or weed chocolates.

What Should Medical Marijuana Patients Do?

Unfortunately, flying with medical marijuana is also a violation of federal regulations, but some states allow medical cannabis reciprocity. This means patients with medical marijuana cards can enjoy similar privileges when they’re away from their home state, although they may have to apply for a new card valid only in the state they are visiting. At the time of publishing this article, the following states offered medical card reciprocity:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• New Hampshire
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Washington
• Washington DC

Keep in mind, the circumstances around reciprocity differ from state to state. For example, Hawaii allows out-of-state visitors with a medical cannabis card from another state to apply for an in-state card to purchase up to 4 ounces of cannabis (per 15-day period) from certified dispensaries. Be sure to do your homework before you travel.

It is also important to keep in mind that even if a state does not practice reciprocity with medical cannabis patients, many states now have recreational or adult-use cannabis. In these states, including Massachusetts, you are free to shop for cannabis with a valid ID as long as you are an adult 21 years of age and older.

SO, CAN YOU TRAVEL WITH EDIBLES?

At this point, the answer is no. Bringing any cannabis product with more than 0.3 percent THC on an aircraft is against federal law. However, even though federal regulations trump all others while airline passengers are beyond a TSA checkpoint, the laws are changing rapidly. Check the laws of your departure and arrival cities, as well as the airports and airlines that you plan to use to know exactly what the situation will be.

If you are interested in learning more about cannabis legality around the world, cannabis tourism, driving with cannabis, and more, check out our new Traveling with Cannabis ebook.

If you are flying into Boston at Logan Airport, be sure to visit our East Boston location for premium cannabis products, located one mile north of Boston Logan International Airport. And if you’d like news delivered directly to your inbox, join our email list to become a Happy Valley Insider. Sign up by scrolling to the bottom of the page and entering your email address in the Stay Connected section