THE US Transportation
Security Administration
(TSA) has changed its
cannabis policy to allow
passengers to bring some
forms of cannabidiol (CBD)
oil, plus a Food and Drug
Administration-approved
marijuana-based drug, on
flights.
“Marijuana and certain
cannabis-infused products,
including some CBD oil,
remain illegal under federal
law, except for products that
contain no more than 0,3%
THC on a dry weight basis,
or that are approved by
the FDA.
“TSA’s screening
procedures focus on
security and are designed
to detect potential
threats to aviation and
passengers. Accordingly,
TSA security officers do
not search for marijuana
or other illegal drugs, but
if any illegal substance is
discovered during security
screening, the TSA will
refer the matter to a law
enforcement officer,” says
the website, noting that the
approved products may be
transported in hand luggage
or checked baggage.
Locally, airlines in SA
have also received queries
regarding transportation of
marijuana-based products,
following the South African
Constitutional Court’s ruling
late last year that personal
use of cannabis was no
longer a criminal office.
“This is a very topical
subject right now,” says
Kirby Gordon, head of sales
and distribution at FlySafair,
quipping that a passenger
had recently asked
FlySafair’s Twitter account
how many “zols” they could
take on board.
Kirby’s personal
understanding of the law
is that it is now legal for
adults to use, possess or
grow marijuana products
in their own homes, but he
is not aware of any policy
changes that have been
put in place regarding air
transportation of these
substances.
Kirby thinks that any
changes regarding
marijuana transportation
would start with government
drafting and approving
a new law and that this
would then trickle through
to organisations like Acsa
and the SACAA, which would
amend their rulings.
