The various rules and regulations surrounding air travel are necessary but annoying. Add some hemp to the mix, and you will have a recipe for frustration. Attempting to fly with hemp-derived products like THCA, the confusion and the stress associated with the whole travel experience double. You will be stressing out, thinking that you may be unknowingly violating the law. All in all, you have enough reason to understand the guidelines we are about to provide.
Green Herbal Care is committed to safety and transparency to ensure you have the best legal options for your hemp-based recreational and wellness needs.
THCA: What Is It, and What Is Its Legal Status?
● What It Is
Tetrahydroncannabinolic acid (THCA) is a non-psychoactive natural chemical compound called a cannabinoid found in raw and live hemp plants. It is the precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the cannabinoid used to get high.
THCA is believed to be a potential source of anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and neuroprotective properties. However, there is a need for more research to ascertain these benefits.
● Its Legal Status
The United States has a complicated legal status when it comes to THCA. The problem may be its close relationship with THC.
The specialty of THCA is that it is non-psychoactive when raw and psychoactive when heated. For instance, if you make a smoothie out of it, you won’t get high. But if you smoke THCA joints, you will soar above the clouds. The reason? THCA converts into THC when exposed to heat. This conversion creates legal uncertainties regarding this cannabinoid.
Let’s explore all aspects of this topic and find out everything you need to know about flying with THCA.
THCA and Federal Law
The federal law is generally subtle with hemp, so THCA is not explicitly considered a controlled substance like THC, but since it can be transformed into THC using heat, the regulations get complicated. Even if you buy THCA flowers, federal agencies can be suspicious because you cannot identify THCA or THC flowers explicitly.
Note: THC is federally illegal.
THCA and State Laws
When it comes to THCA’s legality in states, you will find the laws to be more straightforward in places where hemp is legal for recreational or medical use. THCA products may be allowed and can be bought in specialty shops. However, the intensity of regulations may vary from state to state—some states may impose restrictions on specific THCA products or forms.
THCA Where Hemp is Illegal
THCA poses legal risks in states where cannabis is illegal. Since THCA can turn into THC, possessing or flying with THCA products can be interpreted as trying to possess THC. This makes THCA products problematic where hemp laws are strict.
THCA and Hemp Product Labeling
Product packaging can cause legal issues, as many hemp products are labeled based on their THC content (which only reflects the THC content produced upon heating) and not the THCA before decarboxylation.
THCA and Federal Law Can Clash
Let’s explain this with a simple example: THCA may be available and acceptable in hemp-legal states. However, since federal law classified THC and its derivatives as controlled substances, it can create potential problems for interstate commercial or federal enforcement.
So, now coming back to the big question:
Can You Bring THCA On a Plane?
Going through all the rules and regulations, one thing is certain: bringing THCA on a plane can be complicated because its legality varies by location, as it is very similar to THC (one can buy a THCA disposable to enjoy THC), which is a federally controlled substance. Since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operates under federal law, any hemp derivative, including THCA, may be a problem.
THCA is non-psychoactive and is not technically a scheduled drug. However, TSA agents may not be able to differentiate between THCA and THC. Even though many travelers report successfully traveling with THCA via planes, it is still a legal risk, even if you’re flying from one state to another where THCA is generally considered legal.
Can You Fly Internationally with THCA?
International travel by air with THCA is an even more complicated landscape compared to domestic travel because the international hemp laws vary from country. Although THCA is non-psychoactive when raw, heated THCA converts to THC, which makes it subject to stricter regulations in various countries.
Tips for Flying with THCA
If you have made up your mind about traveling with THCA, here are some best practices to reduce the risk of legal problems:
- Check federal and local laws before traveling. The best way is to research the laws at your departure and arrival destinations. Federal law governs air travel in the US. Even if you travel between states where hemp is legal, the airport may still consider it illegal.
- Leave the products stored in their original packaging and the labels intact. This helps clarify the contents of the container in case the airport authorities have questions.
- If you use THCA for medical reasons, carry your documentation (doctor’s note or medical cannabis card). It may not guarantee legal protection, but it will help you explain your possession of the product.
Even after following the best practices, your THCA products may still be confiscated. These practices can minimize risks but not eliminate complications. We recommend avoiding a journey with hemp products altogether. Most states have dispensaries where you can buy hemp products upon arrival.
Conclusion
Traveling with products like THCA bubble hash, vapes, or flowers raises challenges since it has close ties to THC and the different laws surrounding it. We hope this guide has helped you understand everything you need to know about THCA.
