Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) made some big changes, updating its policy on cannabis.
TSA made changes to the medical marijuana section of its “What Can I Bring?” website. The agency made it clear that hemp-derived CBD products will now be allowed on planes under certain circumstances. Now, TSA policies make an obvious distinction between marijuana and hemp-derived preparations. Before this recent clarification, TSA didn’t make a distinction between the two — no cannabis products were allowed as carry-on items or in checked bags.
However, the agency believed it was necessary to update its policies since the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp and its derivatives.
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The agency issued a statement, saying:
TSA was made aware of an FDA-approved drug that contains CBD oil for children who experience seizures from pediatric epilepsy. To avoid confusion as to whether families can travel with this drug, TSA immediately updated TSA.gov once we became aware of the issue.
The agency went on further to clarify:
Possession of marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil products, remain illegal under federal law. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violation of law, including possession of marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products.
It’s unclear how exactly the agency will enforce the new policy since it will need to have a way to identify if CBD preparations have THC in them. The agency will also need to maintain a database of products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Progress in the Right Direction?
The real story here is progress. We’re continuing to see this type of progress in the cannabis industry, which has helped it morph into one with endless profit opportunities. And it’s attracting investors and entrepreneurs worldwide.
A recent report estimates that the collective market for CBD sales in the U.S. is on track to surpass $20 billion by 2024. This isn’t a big surprise as CBD is an ingredient in a wide range of goods like: sleep aids, face creams, energy drinks, and pet products.
It seems like the possibilities for the market are endless. Now cannabis terpenes are about to hit the market really hard — giving us even more options.
Cannabis terpenes are the essential oils that are present in the cannabis plant. Terpenes give cannabis aromatic and flavor qualities while also providing therapeutic effects. The National Institutes of Health report that cannabis terpene combos like linalool and pinene can produce an antidepressant-like effect. There’s no denying the therapeutic value and benefits of cannabis. It’s just a matter of educating and de-stigmatizing the drug.
The past two years, and this year especially, have seen an increase in awareness, which could be both good and bad. On one hand, it’s good because people are finally being educated. On the other hand, it’s bad because there is a lot of hype surrounding cannabis, which can make skeptics more skeptical. For many people, it’s especially hard to believe the hype when social influencers like Kim Kardashian praise a product. If she’s getting paid to say a product is amazing, why believe her?
The most important take away here is that science is on the side of cannabis. The TSA made adjustments to its policies so a CBD product that’s been proven to help children with epilepsy could be allowed on airplanes. That is science. The benefits of the drug are there, and with more research, the ban on cannabis will gradually be lifted.
Until next time,