Pot on a Plane: Real Stories, Rules, and Risks of Flying With Weed

Flying with pot is a lot more common these days, but that doesn’t mean the risks have disappeared. Travelers love to swap stories about getting through TSA with no problems, but that’s not how it goes for everyone. Whether you’re bringing a vape pen, a pre-roll, or a few edibles, it’s worth knowing what could actually happen before you try flying with cannabis.

If you’ve spent any time on Reddit or talked to friends who travel, you’ve probably heard the same story repeated: “TSA doesn’t care about weed.”

A lot of cannabis consumers report flying with pot in small amounts and getting through security without any problems. TSA agents are primarily looking for weapons and threats to aviation, not your personal stash. If cannabis is found, the most common response is confiscation without penalties. Some agents might toss your joint or edible in the trash, give you a warning, and send you on your way.

But that’s not a universal outcome. These stories are anecdotal, and not getting caught is never guaranteed. For every person who gets through fine, there’s someone else who may end up in handcuffs, or worse, dealing with international law enforcement.

When it comes to flying with pot, some products are easier to get through TSA than others. Vape pens, edibles, and infused topicals are generally considered less obvious than flower because they don’t carry the same smell or visual giveaway.

However, less obvious doesn’t mean risk-free. TSA scanners can detect liquids and concentrates; if your vape pen or edible is flagged, you may still be pulled aside. In states where cannabis is illegal, local law enforcement could get involved, even if TSA itself doesn’t press charges.

Flying internationally? Forget it. Customs officers aren’t bound by the same protocols as TSA, and cannabis laws vary wildly from country to country.

Getting caught with weed at the airport can go from annoying to life-altering, depending on where you are and how much you’re carrying. Here are real examples of what happens when things don’t go smoothly.

In June 2025, a 22-year-old man was arrested at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport after officers found a stash of cannabis products in his luggage. The search turned up over 12 pounds of THC wax, 34 pounds of hash, nearly 5 pounds of flower, and more than a pound of cannabis edibles. Altogether, the haul was valued at almost $3 million.

He was charged with trafficking marijuana and booked into Clayton County Jail. According to jail records, he was released on June 30.

This wasn’t someone flying with a few gummies; they treated it as a major drug bust. Trying to fly with large quantities of cannabis isn’t a travel risk; it’s a trafficking charge.

In May 2025, Customs and Border Protection officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport arrested a 31-year-old woman trying to board a flight to Germany with over 40 pounds of marijuana in her luggage.

Cases like this aren’t about personal stash; they’re drug smuggling charges. Once you cross into large-quantity territory, you’re looking at serious legal consequences, not just TSA confiscation or a fine.

Whether you’re flying domestic or international, trying to travel with large amounts of cannabis is a guaranteed way to get caught and arrested. 

International travel is where flying with pot can backfire the hardest. In 2024, Canadian traveler Maurice Kevin O’Rourke got arrested during a layover in Dubai when customs found cannabis flower and CBD oil in his luggage. Under UAE drug laws, even small amounts can land you a life sentence, and that’s exactly what happened at first.

But O’Rourke got lucky. On February 26, 2025, a Dubai court reduced his sentence to a 10,000 AED fine, which was considered time served. He also paid a visa overstay fee before flying home to Canada on March 1st, according to Detained in Dubai.

Bottom line: Even when marijuana is legal where you live, other countries won’t care. Getting caught with weed abroad can turn into a nightmare fast, and not everyone gets out of it.

Anecdotal reports on forums like Reddit reveal a range of outcomes when consumers try to bring weed on a plane:

• Someone flying out of Las Vegas tried hiding cannabis in an instant coffee jar. They were caught and fined $550.
• A traveler in California forgot a pre-roll in their jacket pocket. The TSA found it but threw it away without issuing a citation.
• One person reported that the TSA found their edibles but allowed them to keep them, assuming they were just regular gummies.
• A medical cannabis patient was stopped in Texas for carrying flower. Local police got involved but ultimately confiscated the weed without pressing charges.

Flying with pot isn’t as simple as tossing your stash in a carry-on and hoping for the best. Even though a lot of cannabis consumers successfully travel with weed every day, it’s still risky, and the consequences aren’t always minor.

In the U.S., cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. That means that once you step into an airport or onto a plane, federal law technically takes over, regardless of what your state allows. Flying with pot can lead to anything from a TSA trash bin confiscation to getting law enforcement involved, depending on where you are and what you’re carrying.

Here’s what you need to know before bringing weed to the airport.

According to the TSA, cannabis is still considered federally illegal, even if you have a medical card. TSA agents aren’t actively looking for weed when they screen your bags. Their priority is keeping weapons and threats off planes, not catching cannabis consumers.

But that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

If TSA does find cannabis during screening, they’re required to report it to local law enforcement. What happens next entirely depends on where you are:

• In legal states: You’ll usually get a warning or have your product confiscated. Some airports even have amnesty boxes where you can toss your stash before security.
• In illegal states: You could face fines, arrest, or criminal charges, even for small amounts. Some areas still treat possession as a serious offense.
• Flying internationally: This is where things can become particularly dangerous. Customs doesn’t care about your state laws or medical cards. Many countries have strict drug policies, and getting caught could lead to jail time, or worse.

Even if you’re just carrying edibles or a vape pen, it still counts as flying with pot. And TSA doesn’t care whether your product came from hemp or marijuana if it contains THC. The bottom line? You’re taking a risk every time you try to bring cannabis through airport security.

If you’re considering flying with pot, here’s what not to do:

• Don’t lie if TSA finds your stash. Being honest usually leads to confiscation, not arrest. Lying can escalate the situation.
• Don’t bring large amounts of cannabis. Small, personal-use amounts are often treated more leniently. Trying to fly with pounds of weed will get you charged with trafficking.
• Don’t assume local legalization protects you. Just because cannabis is legal in your home state doesn’t mean you’re safe at the airport. Federal law still applies in airports and on planes.
• Don’t arrive at the airport high. If you smell like cannabis or look high at the airport, this can be a red flag for security and may lead to extra screening or questioning. Stay discreet to avoid any unnecessary attention. 

Flying with pot is a gamble. Some people get through with no problems. Others end up dealing with fines, missed flights, arrests, or legal trouble that sticks.

If you’re wondering how to bring pot on a plane without getting caught, the truth is: there’s no guaranteed method. The safest move is to leave it at home. If you’re still going to try, keep it small, avoid international flights, and understand the risks before you pack.