Flying with CBD Oil to Mexico
Can you fly with CBD to Mexico? CBD (short for cannabidiol) derived from the hemp plant is legal in all 50 states of the United States. In May 2019, it became legal to fly domestically in the USA with with hemp-derived CBD oil and CBD oil products containing no more than 0.3% THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol) under TSA’s medical marijuana policy.
Since hemp-derived CBD products are legal in the United States and TSA allows you to travel with hemp-derived CBD products, can you bring your hemp-derived CBD products purchased in the United States into Mexico?
The short answer is no. Below, we share why.
TSA's Policy + Mexico
TSA’s policy only applies when you are traveling with CBD oil and other CBD products across states lines within the United States, not across country borders. This means TSA’s policy does not apply to international travel (when you cross a country border), such as traveling from the United States to Mexico or to any other country.
Mexico's Travel Rules for CBD
CBD oil and CBD oil products containing less than 1% THC are legal to purchase in Mexico. However, you cannot bring CBD products you purchased outside Mexico into Mexico.
According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico, “it is illegal to bring into Mexico some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States, including inhalers and some allergy and sinus medications…” including cannabis, cannabis extracts and tinctures, cannabis oil and cannabis resin.
Airports in Mexico likewise have rules that restrict cannabis products including CBD-only products. For example, customs security for Los Cabos airport has a list of permitted and not permitted items in Mexico, and “cannabis products including CBD-Only products are not permitted.“
Does Mexico's Travel Restriction for Cannabis Include Hemp?
Yes, Mexico’s travel rules on cannabis applies to hemp. The Mexico travel restrictions on cannabis do not mention hemp; only to cannabis and CBD-only products. However, the hemp plant is technically a cannabis plant. As such, when Mexico refers to cannabis this includes hemp.
Summing It Up
Mexico’s travel rules do not allow CBD product purchased outside of Mexico to be brought into Mexico. This means that if you plan to travel to Mexico by plane or by car you will have to leave your CBD products behind. The upside is that you can buy CBD with less than 1% THC during your stay in Mexico.
Do some research in advance to learn if your specific destination in Mexico has CBD for sale and where. Depending on your destination, CBD or your particular type of CBD product may or may not be available or as is easily accessible.
