What If I’m Caught Flying with Marijuana? With the legalization of marijuana in California, an increasing number of individuals are turning up at airports such as Santa Monica Airport in an attempt to transport cannabis. Despite the fact that marijuana may be legal in California, many individuals may not be aware that attempting to carry it on a flight still carries consequences.
What happens if the TSA discovers you with marijuana? Since marijuana is legal in California, the TSA is likely to confiscate it if it is discovered during screening. Nonetheless, they may alert local police if the amount of marijuana in your hands is excessive or if you are underage. According to Section 11357 of the California Health and Safety Code, you may be subject to fines if you are caught with an unlawful amount of marijuana.
While marijuana is legal in Los Angeles, the situation is complicated by the nature of aviation travel. We’ll go into further depth below. Contact us at 323-655-5700 to book a free consultation to explore the specifics of your case if you are now facing charges for marijuana possession.
William Kroger is an attorney with over two decades of expertise handling all forms of marijuana-related crimes. The sooner you become available, the sooner we can start planning your defense. Penalties for Possession of Marijuana When Flying in Los Angeles The first and most crucial thing to realize regarding marijuana and plane travel is that the TSA is governed by federal law, not state law.
Although marijuana may be legal in California, the TSA is obliged by federal law and might thus potentially contact federal law enforcement. However, it is improbable that they will do so. The most probable conclusion is that they will confiscate your marijuana.
- The DEA is almost never alerted of marijuana instances in airports, and the TSA will not contact local police unless you have big quantities or are underage.
- In such instances, you may be subject to fines, which we will describe below.
- It is nevertheless not advised to undertake plane travel while in possession of marijuana.
Due to federal restrictions, the possession of marijuana aboard a flight remains unlawful. You must also consider your destination; if marijuana is prohibited there, you will certainly face higher penalties if it is discovered upon arrival. What Does This Mean For Residents Of Los Angeles? Since marijuana is allowed for recreational use in California, what would happen if a Los Angeles citizen was found carrying pot at the Santa Monica Airport? In California, if you are above the age of 21 and caught carrying the authorized quantity of marijuana, the TSA may just seize it.
However, it is still not recommended to undertake air travel while under the influence of marijuana, especially if the destination state does not permit its use. The TSA may still call local law enforcement in some situations, such as if you violate California state law. This will be discussed below. Possession of Marijuana at Los Angeles Airports Is Punished Local law enforcement may charge you with the following under the California Health and Safety Code (HSC) if you are discovered in an airport with prohibited amounts of marijuana or if you are under the legal age to possess marijuana: If you are in possession of less than 28.5 grams of cannabis or 8 grams of cannabis concentrate (wax, oil, or resin) and: Over 21 – possession is permissible Over 18 but under 21 carries a maximum $100 fine.
Under 18 – four hours of drug treatment and as much as ten hours of community service Over 21 – possession is permissible Over 18 but under 21 carries a maximum $100 fine. Under 18 – four hours of drug treatment and as much as ten hours of community service If you are in possession of more than 28.5 grams of cannabis or 8 grams of cannabis concentrate and: Over the age of 21 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county prison and/or a $500 fine.
- Over 18 but under 21 – up to six months in prison or a maximum $500 fine, or both.
- Under 18: Up to 10 hours of drug counseling and 60 hours of community service Over the age of 21 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county prison and/or a $500 fine.
- Over 18 but under 21 – up to six months in prison or a maximum $500 fine, or both.
Under 18: Up to 10 hours of drug counseling and 60 hours of community service Circumstances Unique and Other Concerns With a Medical Marijuana Card, can I fly with Cannabis? No. Medical exemptions for cannabis are meaningless outside of the state in which they are given, and as federal law applies to aircraft, there are no exceptions to cannabis’ criminality.
- If you are flying between states, it is possible that your medical marijuana card will not be valid in the destination state.
- What if I’m flying between two states with legal marijuana? Even if you are traveling between states where marijuana is legal, it is still unlawful.
- The flight you are on is theoretically subject to federal law, which prohibits cannabis.
Instances in which passengers are apprehended attempting to cross state boundaries with illegal substances can be prosecuted more harshly and punished more severely. Even though the TSA may not discover it, it is unwise to try interstate travel with marijuana in your possession.
- Will the TSA Discover Marijuana in My Checked Bag? Probably.
- Because checked baggage are randomly examined at a higher rate than carry-ons, it is more probable that the TSA will locate marijuana in your checked luggage.
- As with you, your checked luggage undergoes a series of inspections to ensure it contains nothing unlawful or harmful.
If you attempt to conceal substantial quantities of marijuana in your luggage, you may be detained upon landing and exiting the aircraft. Possession of significant quantities of marijuana will certainly result in confiscation and possible legal action, especially if you are traveling to a state where it is prohibited.
- Can I Bring Cannabis/Oil/Edibles on an Airplane? No, cannabis in any form is prohibited aboard aircraft.
- Hash, oil, resin, wax, and edibles are all considered concentrated forms of cannabis, which are governed by the same regulations as flower but have lower possession restrictions.
- In California, the legal limit for concentrated cannabis is 8 grams, compared to 28.5 grams for cannabis flowers.
Does the TSA Search for Cannabis? In statement on the TSA’s official Twitter account, they stressed that TSA screening methods are centered on identifying possible risks to airport security, and that TSA employees do not actively look for marijuana during screening.
However, the fact that they are not actively seeking it does not exclude their discovery. TSA screening systems routinely detect a variety of substances. Additionally, sniffer dogs may be present at the airport. In California, drug canines and their handlers will likely do nothing with little amounts of marijuana other than seize and dispose of it.
However, it is wiser not to take that risk and leave your cannabis at home when traveling. What If I Am Caught With Marijuana in Los Angeles? If you are detected with legal amounts of marijuana after landing in Los Angeles and are on your way out of the airport, no action will be taken.
Arriving passengers are often not inspected at all, therefore it is quite unlikely that you will be discovered. Realistically, you are in California with a legal quantity of marijuana, so no one will likely worry. If you are in possession of prohibited quantities, you may be subject to the charges outlined above.
Possession of Marijuana in Airports While you may not face legal consequences for transporting little amounts of marijuana in Los Angeles, it is still not advised to do so. At minimum, it will likely be confiscated, and you will lose it permanently. If you attempt to travel with bigger quantities of marijuana or if you are under the legal age to possess it, local police authorities may take more severe legal action against you.
Nonetheless, you may be comfortable that if you forget or mistakenly leave tiny quantities of marijuana in your suitcases when departing Los Angeles, it will likely be confiscated. However, if you are facing accusations relating to marijuana, you should call us immediately. William Kroger is an expert in California’s marijuana legislation and has successfully defended clients against narcotics accusations.
If you require a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, William Kroger and the rest of our reputable team are your best alternative. Call 323-655-5700 for a free consultation to discuss your case’s specifics. : What If I’m Caught Flying with Marijuana?
Can cannabis be identified at the airport?
Although marijuana possession is legal in many U.S. states and other nations, it is generally unlawful to transport the drug through an airport. At most cases, airport scanners can detect marijuana, and security staff in the majority of airports across the world are also trained to identify the substance.
How Does Marijuana Appear on Airport Scanners? On an airport scanner, orange indicates any organic stuff. This includes cannabis. Because explosives are sometimes constituted in part of organic substances like as glycerin and potassium nitrate, a TSA agent will pay special attention to any orange-colored items detected by the scanner. Source: tsatestprep
Do airport dogs detect marijuana?
Drug Sniffing – The most apparent item for a dog trained to detect drugs is drugs themselves. Dogs are taught to detect a variety of substances, with the most frequent being. Because these are two of the most often trafficked substances. A dog at an airport can do this function with a high percentage of success.
- Although some have opposed the employment of dogs in this context, it has resulted in a successful program.
- Even if they were come for no other purpose, these drug-sniffing canines benefit airports in a variety of ways.
- This is certainly the major reason you have been considering hiring a sniffer dog.
Check to verify whether the dog can detect the narcotic you’re attempting to capture, since certain canines will specialize on a particular substance.
A drug dog may still be able to detect the odor of marijuana on your hands, hair, and clothing, even though the odor is not detectable to the human nose.
Can cannabis be detected by dogs through vacuum-sealed bags?
Indications that Dogs Can (or Cannot) Smell through Airtight Containers – Dogs cannot detect odors via airtight or vacuum-sealed containers, despite the fact that they have an extraordinary capacity to detect odors. Puppies can detect odors underneath, around, inside, and even underwater.
However, airtight containers are vacuum-sealed to prevent the escape of air. If no air can escape, odors cannot escape. Whether or not your dog can sniff through a container also relies on the container’s substance. For instance, unlike glass, a sealed plastic container is nevertheless permeable. This implies that scents will gradually permeate the material via minuscule pores, allowing your dog to detect a scent.
Metal or glass containers, however, are impermeable and will retain all scents when vacuum sealed. However, it is essential to keep in mind that we leave behind odors on the exterior of containers through our hands. Consequently, your dog may be able to detect odours in this manner.
- Alert
- Sniffing
- Raise Ears
- Body Freezing
- The Act of Turning the Head
- Tense Jaw
- Back Hair Streaked
- Nose Bobbling
- Heads-Up
Extra Signs Here are some other indications your dog may be sending you. Check your dog for the following body language cues to obtain a better understanding of what he or she is smelling:
- Habitual Sniffing
- Mouthing The Jar
- Following A Scent With The Nose Down
- Requesting Your Consideration
- Unwilling To Depart From The Jar