Can you travel with cannabis in the United States of America? While states like Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington may have legalized it, cannabis is still federally prohibited.
So cannabis may be legal in some states. But it is still a controlled substance, according to Washington D.C.
(Even though the residents living in the District of Columbia voted to legalize it in 2015, Congress has denied them access to retail, and so a robust grey market has popped up).
It may be legal to possess and use cannabis within the borders of a legal state, but it is illegal to transport cannabis across state lines.
What About Flying?
So you cannot drive from Colorado to Washington with legal cannabis. But what about if you fly on a direct flight? You’d be taking off from one legal state and landing in another. So what’s the issue?
Unfortunately, even a direct flight from Colorado to Washington counts as crossing state lines. Airports and airlines are federally regulated. Ergo, they’re subject to federal laws.
Like crossing the border to Canada from a legal state, you will face penalties if you have cannabis. The feds consider borders their jurisdiction.
But what if – for example – you fly within Colorado?
Or any other legal state? Therefore, you’re not crossing any state lines.
Travelling with cannabis within Colorado (i.e. not crossing state lines) is valid and legal. When it comes to air travel, a lot will depend on the kind of flying you’ll be doing. And where you’ll be doing it.
For example, LAX has said they won’t go after people with less than an ounce.
However, most airports are federal property. And like the border, federal law will overrule state law, even when it’s unconstitutional.
You can theoretically travel by air within the United States with cannabis. If it’s a small chartered, private plane, and you know the pilot, odds are, there won’t be anyone sniffing around your bags.
But that’s a rare case. And not technically legal. In most cases, you’ll get the Chicago treatment.
O’Hare International Airport has “pot amnesty” boxes by their security checkpoints. The idea is that travellers who may have arrived with legal cannabis products and didn’t realize they couldn’t fly with them have a safe space to trash their goods.
The city of Chicago owns the boxes, and the police maintain them.
But as far as getting caught by security, such as the TSA, your experience may vary. The TSA website states, “TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs.”
Travel with Cannabis in the United States – Different Rules Between States
Further complicating travel with cannabis in the United States is all the different rules between the legal states.
For example, in California, you can carry up to an ounce of cannabis. In Colorado, it’s two ounces. In Maine, it’s three ounces.
And these rules are subject to change. However, since crossing state lines with cannabis is considered illegal, you technically shouldn’t have to worry about how much cannabis you have on you. Any amount is too much, according to the authorities.
Wait – is it really illegal to drive from New York to New Jersey with cannabis?
Yes. If you work in NYC, pick up some weed for the night, and then drive over the George Washington Bridge or through the Lincoln Tunnel to return to your New Jersey home, you’ve committed a federal offense.
Transporting cannabis across state lines is considered a federal offense because cannabis is still a controlled substance under federal law.
But doesn’t this violate states’ rights?
Yes, but thanks to that “Commerce Clause,” Washington D.C. has every opportunity to undermine the state sovereignty.
What About Medical Cannabis or CBD?
Can You Travel with Cannabis in the United States if it’s medical or legal CBD? Technically yes, but there are some things to consider.
So long as your CBD product contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, it is legal to fly with. This is because CBD is legal federally, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
(If your CBD is in liquid form, you’ll still be bound by whatever carry-on policy the airline or TSA has at the moment).
This area is a little trickier since there is no official federal government medical cannabis program. Thus, no official “medical cannabis I.D.” the TSA can verify.
Generally, you can’t travel on a domestic flight with medical cannabis. Since even medical cannabis is considered a controlled substance by the U.S. feds.
Even if you’re confident a TSA agent won’t confiscate your medical cannabis, some airlines, like American Airlines, have banned all cannabis, including medical cannabis, from flights.
Can You Travel with Cannabis in the United States?
Short answer, no. You can drive from spot to spot within a legal state. And you may be able to travel with cannabis within the United States on a private chartered plane. But in general, you do not want to cross state lines with cannabis. Even if you’re going from one legal state to another.
They seem to be total enemies – but can CBD help cats chill out around the Christmas Tree?
While is seems cats do things just to annoy their owners, there are reasons. And when it comes to the Christmas tree, there are manyfelines that causes the pull to be “involved” with the giant temporary addition to the festive season. They enjoy being high up to survey their surroundings and it makes them feel safe from predators. Yhe branches provide a fun climbing challenge. And they are attracted to shiny objects with the ornaments and lights. Like humans, cats enjoy the smell of live evergreen trees which is another reason they stay close. But can CBD keep cats from the Christmas tree?
Alone, CBD can not keep them from exploring, but can be used as another tool to relax them and help them lose interest in wrecking a tree. CBD for cats has gained popularity among pet owners seeking alternative treatments for various feline health issues. CBD is generally considered safe for cats when used appropriately. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp plants that interacts with the endocannabinoid system in cats, potentially offering benefits for anxiety, pain, inflammation, and overall wellness.
CBD could help cats with several issues during the holidays including reducing anxiety from visitors, decorations, and changes in routine. It can help alleviate pain and inflammation, which may worsen in colder weather. With the change in routine, it can help with sleep quality. And must of all regarding the tree, it can help them chill and relaxat, giving them a
Use products specifically formulated for cats, as human or dog CBD products may not be suitable. Follow dosage guidelines carefully. Consult with a veterinarian before starting CBD, especially for cats with health issues or on medications. CBD for cats typically comes in oils or treats. Oils allow for precise dosing, while treats may be easier to administer.
Other ways to keep the cat from the tree is have a fake tree which is less dangerous than a real tree. A smaller tree is less likely to cause serious harm if it falls over. Use a heavy base or weights to prevent the tree from toppling over. You can also secure it to a wall with wire. Cats dislike citrus and foil scents, so you can wrap the tree trunk in foil and put orange or lemon peels around the base. Place cheaper, less sentimental decorations toward the bottom of the tree. Tie ornaments tightly to the branches to avoid loose, dangling temptations. Choose wooden or plastic ornaments instead of highly reflective ones. Tie plastic bags filled with orange or lemon peels around the base of the tree.
On the first holiday weekend, should you mix up online and in-store shopping? Well, there is definitely benefits for both – including Target’s new tie-in promotion.
Black Friday is With average holiday spending expected to reach over $1,000, it is important to capture the customers. Twenty years ago, malls were packed and the news reported Karen’s gone wild in an effort to snag shopping deals. Now things are easier with online shopping, but in-store experiences remain crucial. This year 26% of consumers plan to shop primarily in person for the holidays, while 51% plan to do both in-person and online. As usual, retailers offered early discounts and unique shopping experiences to bring people into brick and mortar.
In 2024, the Black Friday shopping landscape has evolved dramatically, presenting consumers with compelling reasons to choose both online and in-store shopping experiences. Each approach offers unique advantages that cater to different shopper preferences and priorities. Online shopping continues to gain momentum, with 75% of shoppers planning to make purchases digitally in 2024.
The benefits are easy and they’re rarely a need to deal with a long line (except for very hard, limited release items). Shoppers can browse and purchase from the comfort of their homes. It provides access to extensive product catalogs across multiple retailers and easy ability to compare prices instantly.
Despite the digital surge, in-store shopping lends itself to being more festive and provide a longer, interactive experience. Shoppers have the ability to try on clothes, test electronics, and physically examine items and are three times more likely to make spontaneous purchases in-store. Usually food purchases from coffee, lunch to drinks are involved and it is considered a full activity. And shoppers arrive home with packages.
Many consumers are adopting a hybrid approach. For instance, some shoppers visit physical stores to try products and then complete purchases online. Retailers are adapting by offering exclusive in-store experiences, like Target’s Taylor Swift album release and special giveaways. Many wine and liquor stores offer tasting and marijuiana dispensaries offer specials on products.
And the reason we call today Black Friday is thanks to the Philadelphia police department. Department stores in the city would hold huge sales to capitalize on the large crowds ahead of the Army/Navy football game. Vast crowds caused havoc for police and forced them to work harsh, extra-long shifts, resulting in them dubbing the day Black Friday, both to express their dislike of the day and to try and reduce visitors by making it sound less appealing.
The day before Thanksgiving has the honor of being two of the biggest consumption days of the year – are you ready?
While some people are prepping for Thanksgiving Thursday, the big feast and the holiday season afterwards, a significant amount are looking forward to Wednesday. The day before Thanksgiving has become a mini-holiday in its own right. It has become a time of robust celebration, so much it is known as Green Wednesday and Blackout Wednesday. It is a significant consumption day for both marijuana and alcohol imbibers.
Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving, has grown to rival major drinking holidays like New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day in terms of alcohol consumption. And cannabis is not far behind seeing a big spike in dispensary purchases on the same day. As legal cannabis moved across the nation, it caught on and gave options to people who want to “unplug” at the start of the holiday weekend.
Green Wednesday is a cannabis-centric moment the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In in 2016, the phrase was coined when California cannabis delivery service noticed a significant uptick in orders the week before Thanksgiving. With over 50% of the country having access to legal weed, each year has only gotten bigger!
“Last year’s Green Wednesday had sales 72% higher than the average day. Flower accounted for 39.5% of sales with Vape at 23.7%, pre-rolled at 16.9% and edibles at 10.6%. Pre-rolled showed the biggest increase compared to the week before when it accounted for only 11.9%, so sales on Green Wednesday of pre-rolls specifically, were more than double a normal day.” shares Roy Bingham, Co-Founder and CEO of BDSA, one of the cannabis analytics firms.
The original partakers start Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving or Thanksgiving Eve. They helped make it become a significant cultural phenomenon. This unofficial holiday takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and has gained notoriety as one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. The exact origins of Blackout Wednesday are not precisely documented, but the phenomenon is believed to have started decades before it was named. The term “Drinksgiving” dates back to 2007, while the first Google searches for “Blackout Wednesday” were recorded in 2014.
If you choose to celebrate, be safe, have fun, and have the ingredients for a hangover cure come the morning.