Traveling with CBD: What Every Active Dad Needs to Know

Men accustomed to supporting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being with hemp-derived products appreciate the ease of incorporating CBD into their daily routines. Although most surveys over the past decade suggest women are more likely than men to explore the cannabinoid's many potential virtues, recent polls show that men use their favorite products more consistently.¹ They're stirring CBD oil tinctures into their morning coffee, keeping the effects going strong mid-afternoon, and making their preferred products part of their pre-sleep ritual. 

After reading stories of CBD users being detained in airports, bus terminals, and during routine traffic stops, however, many active dads who want to continue using CBD while traveling with the U.S. wonder how their families could be impacted. In many cases, they're leaving their tincture, topicals, and gummies home based on advice published before the federal government revised its stance. With a few simple precautions, most dads can count on a smooth, stress-free journey while traveling with CBD. 

Why Travelers Find Navigating CBD Legality So Confusing  

In 2018, our government lifted federal restrictions on hemp cultivation and cannabis products with less than 0.3% THC. Although many experts expected the monumental shift to clear the confusion, CBD legality was left to state discretion.² Most state legislators followed the lead of our federal government. But despite misleading claims that CBD is legal in all 50 states, some opted to approve 0% THC CBD products, and two states prohibit cannabis use of any kind.³ 

As a dad traveling by car between states with the same laws, CBD use is less of an issue. But you could run into trouble if your family vacation takes you through a state that prohibits CBD or THC. There are two ways to eliminate the risk of tangling with law enforcement – plan your route to avoid passing through a state where your products are prohibited or replace the products left behind after crossing the border. If you're not driving, however, things get a little more complicated.  

Important Considerations for Dads Traveling by Water, Rail, or Coach  

Since CBD sourced from hemp is federally legal, your family may be permitted to board a train or bus with your hemp-derived products tucked into your luggage.⁴ But if you can't find precise information posted on the transit provider's website, call ahead before packing. If CBD is permitted, you may be required to provide a certificate of analysis – the documentation that verifies that the THC does not exceed federal limits.   

Traveling with CBD on a family cruise, on the other hand, is not an option. All major cruise lines list CBD as a prohibited substance, regardless of its status in the state where you board. That's because passengers on ships traveling international waters must abide by the laws governing each port along their journey. Any CBD found on a cruise ship will be confiscated and the proper authorities notified. The penalties can turn your family getaway into a vacation nightmare.⁵ 

CBD and Air Travel: Navigating TSA Regulations  

Most dads find flying domestically with hemp-derived products relatively stress-free – provided they're compliant with TSA rules and regulations. Although the Transportation Security Administration includes medical marijuana and CBD on the list of articles not allowed through airport security, the official statement posted on the organization's website makes it clear that hemp-derived products with "THC levels that contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis" are permitted.⁶  

But before boarding a domestic flight, it's essential to verify that the CBD products allowed when your family boarded are permitted in any airport you're passing through. TSA officers are required to report any suspected cannabis law violations to the appropriate local, state, or federal authorities. But screening passengers for potentially illegal drugs is not their primary focus.⁷  

Packing CBD for Travel: Tips for Ensuring Your CBD is TSA-Compliant  

Hemp-derived CBD can be packed in checked luggage or your carry-on. But there are specific requirements based on product type. If you want to keep your CBD within reach, store your product in your carry-on bag alongside any other creams, liquids, gels, and pastes you've packed for personal care. According to TSA Regulations, no single container can hold more than 3.4 ounces of product, and everything must fit into one clear, quart-sized bag. If you have CBD-infused products in amounts larger than 3.4 ounces, they'll need to be stored in your checked luggage.⁸  

Tips for Stress-Free Travel with Hemp-Derived CBD Products  

Whether traveling by land or air, most experts recommend keeping CBD products in their original containers and printing the certificate of analysis for each product in your possession. Consider packing a second copy for safekeeping should the original get misplaced or damaged. If your CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, or gummies have a QR code on the label, you can also provide electronic verification as needed by scanning the two-dimensional matrix barcodes using the camera feature on your smartphone.   

The importance of printing a certificate of analysis should not be underestimated. Legality is typically determined by the amount of THC in a product, not the source of the extracts they're made from. Since the amount of THC in hemp can vary from one crop to the next, untested CBD could contain enough THC to meet the legal definition of marijuana. Although 75% of CBD brands claim their products are third-party tested, only about 13% submit samples for at least 90% of their products.⁹ 

CBD for Active Dads: Choosing the Best Products for Stress-Free Travel  

There are multiple reasons to continue using CBD while traveling with your family, regardless of the initial reason for incorporating the cannabinoid into your wellness routine. Based on the results of a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most CBD users report positive results using our high-quality products for better sleep, relaxation, and pain and inflammation after physical activity. Of those many respondents, 89% say CBD helps calm their minds, and 88% report a favorable impact on mild or temporary anxiety. 

Although traveling with CBD requires paying close attention to every rule, regulation, and restriction you might encounter before reaching your destination, there's a lot to be said for having a single product with the potential to support multiple wellness goals. If you're an active dad and have never tried CBD, you might want to consider the possible benefits of investing in one of the following product types.   

CBD Oil Tinctures  

CBD oil tinctures are made with a precise blend of hemp extract and a carrier oil. The carrier oil helps ensure optimal bioavailability. Tinctures can be mixed with foods and beverages or applied topically. Most CBD users, however, prefer holding the oil beneath their tongue for 45-60 seconds before swallowing. Each bottle contains 30ml - just over one fluid ounce. 

CBD Gummies & Softgels   

Gummies are popular among dads trying CBD for the first time because they're sweet and chewy and deliver a precise amount of cannabidiol in every serving. CBD softgels deliver concentrated hemp extract in an easy-to-swallow gelatin shell. With CBD gummies, you have the option of adjusting your serving sizes by cutting them into halves or quarters. With softgels, you won't taste the hemp.  

CBD Topicals  

When you swallow CBD, the cannabinoid impacts your entire system. CBD topicals, on the other hand, are ideal for dads most interested in targeted relief. Since the CBD isn't absorbed into your bloodstream, you can use topicals on their own or to complement any other product in your daily or nightly routine. For best results, apply your CBD balm or relief stick liberally to clean, dry skin. 

Discover Why Dads Preparing to Travel with CBD Choose CBDistillery® Products   

Traveling with CBD requires understanding the various rules, regulations, and restrictions you could encounter along your journey. Even when traveling between CBD-friendly states, it's best to keep your products in their original containers and print a Certificate of Analysis. 

Dad's packing CBDistillery® products can travel with confidence. Our CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, and gummies are rigorously tested and quality-assured. The QR code printed on every label gives you immediate access to the documentation needed to confirm you're traveling with products with less than 0.3% THC. If you're leaning towards trying CBD but not quite sure where to start, consider taking our Product Quiz or requesting a personal consultation. 

References 

1. Moltke J, Hindocha C. (2021) Reasons for Cannabidiol Use: A Cross-Sectional Study of CBD Users, Focusing on Self-Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Sleep Problems. 3(5) J Cannabis Res https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs42238-021-00061-5 

2. Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill (2019) FDA. 

3. Magrabi T. (N.D.) Is CBD Legal in All 50 U.S. States? Leafwell. 

4. CBD Travel Guide: The Only Guide to Traveling with CBD Oil You'll Ever Need (N.D.) Mydoasage. 

5. Alfons (2024) CBD on Cruise Ships: Legal Confusion and Prohibited Items. Voyager Info. 

6. Medical Marijuana (N.D.) TSA.gov. 

7. Gillaspia D. (2024) Can You Bring CBD on a Plane? Upon Arriving. 

8. Travel Checklist (N.D.) TSA.gov. 

9. Harrington A. (2021) 25% of CBD Products Are Not Tested for Purity. Forbes.