A Traveler's Guide to CBD
If you've ever sat on a runway and wished you could eat a piece of candy that would somehow quell your flight anxiety, then we have excellent news: You can. We'd like to formally introduce you to the world of travel CBD. It's not too good to be true — you really can find delicious CBD gummies to help you relax or even combat anxiety, which is why CBD has become quite popular among travelers.
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However, the world of CBD isn't without nuance. CBD comes in a variety of forms — from gummies and pills, to tinctures and body lotions — and different dosages. The right dose or product for someone looking to relax in business class with an in-flight movie might be different than the type of CBD you'd need to fall asleep while battling jet lag. There are also legal implications of CBD to consider. It's now widely used in the U.S., but regulations vary from state to state, and CBD is still illegal in many countries.
Related: These CBD Gummies Are the Key to Combating Stress and Anxiety — and I'll Never Fly Without Them
To help you navigate CBD for travel, we've put together an introductory guide to CBD, explaining what exactly CBD is, how to fly with CBD, where you can travel with CBD, and what the best CBD products for travelers are.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is an active ingredient in marijuana. However, CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the "psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high," per the Mayo Clinic. CBD is not always derived from the same plant; you can find both hemp-based CBD and marijuana-derived CBD.
Sixty percent of CBD users take it specifically for anxiety. It's also been used to treat epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and insomnia, among other ailments and conditions.
You can take CBD orally or apply it topically. You'd generally take CBD orally if, for example, you were combatting anxiety on a flight. However, you might choose to use CBD topically when you arrive at your destination and are trying to ease post-flight muscle aches.
For those interested in ingesting CBD, CBD oils or tinctures are very common — you simply put a drop or two on your tongue, or you might even add a tincture to your beverage. There are also chewables (gummies) or CBD pills you can take. Finally, you can smoke or vape CBD, though not while traveling by plane.
Why does CBD appeal to travelers?
Before we get into the legality of flying or road tripping with CBD, let's talk about why CBD is growing in popularity among travelers. First and foremost, it's become a common remedy for travel anxiety. Whether you're a nervous flier who dreads turbulence, or someone who gets wound a little tight when traveling with family, CBD is a popular way to release some tension in your shoulders and get back to having a great travel experience. For travelers up against significant time differences, there are also fatigue-inducing CBD products to help you find sleep when your internal body clock is completely out of whack. Finally, travelers who are constantly dealing with traveling aches and pains (too many hours in a car or plane, or too many nights on an Airbnb mattress) might turn to CBD — topical or ingestible — to ease their body aches.
Can you take CBD on a flight?
When traveling with CBD, the most important thing to remember is that the legality of these products changes based on your location. In the U.S., CBD is legal at the federal level and has been since 2018. Most states will allow possession of hemp-based CBD, because CBD derived from hemp is guaranteed to have less than 0.3 percent THC. However, if you're traveling to a state that you know has strict marijuana regulations, research the state laws before bringing CBD — and make sure your CBD products are devoid of THC.
When traveling outside the U.S., rules shift on a per-country basis. CBD is illegal in a few European countries — including Iceland, Monaco, and Montenegro — and Asian countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam. Most African and Middle Eastern countries have banned all cannabis products, CBD included — though Lebanon legalized medical marijuana in 2020, and CBD products are legal under certain conditions in South Africa.
Within the U.S., you can fly with CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. However, TSA rules very much apply, in that any liquids (oils, tinctures, creams) must be less than 3 ounces. You can bring a CBD vape pen through airport security in your carry-on, but not in your checked baggage.
The best rule of thumb when traveling with CBD is to research whether your destination (and any countries or states you are traveling through to get to your destination) allow CBD. You should also make sure to thoroughly understand the products in your possession, and whether they contain any THC or are purely CBD.
CBD Products for Travelers
Here comes the fun part — what are the best CBD products for travelers? From gummies made in Maui that taste as good as the peach rings of your youth to sleepy time CBD pills to topical CBD cream to soothe your spasms, these are the best introductory CBD products for travelers.
Verma Farms Peachy Pau Hana Gummies
Courtesy of Verma Farms
Verma Farms makes some of the best-tasting CBD gummies on the market. Verma Farms' gummies vary in terms of size and dosage. Their peach rings are each 25 milligrams, which is a fairly hearty dose (making it a great bedtime gummy). If you're looking for a smaller dose to unwind, just eat half a peach ring, or try their CBD gummy bears, which are 12.5 milligrams.
To buy: $60, vermafarms.com
Highline Wellness CBD Gummies
Courtesy of Highline Wellness
Highline Wellness' 10-milligram CBD gummy bears are a Travel+Leisure editor favorite. Anxious travelers will love the sense of calm that comes with popping one of these into your mouth as your flight takes off. They're all-natural and made from hemp — and they taste great. You can also buy the 20-milligram version of these gummies.
To buy: $35, highlinewellness.com
Fab PM Chews
Courtesy of FABCBD
CBD gummy enthusiasts love the flavor of Fab chews — and their PM gummies are perfect for the jet-lagged traveler who needs to get some sleep, or fliers trying to sleep on a red-eye. These gummies contain melatonin.
To buy: From $89, fabcbd.com
Lord Jones CBD Tincture
Courtesy of Lord Jones
Lord Jones is a well-regarded, hemp-based CBD brand. Their vegan, sugar-free, alcohol-free tinctures come in two flavors: lemon and peppermint. Both flavors are calming, and you can place a dropper full (10 milligrams) on your tongue for optimal relaxation.
To buy: $55, lordjones.com
My Soul CBD Capsule Travel Packs
Courtesy of Soul CBD
My Soul CBD sells travel packs specifically for those on the go. The travel packs make it easy to slip a few capsules in your toiletry case without having to bring the whole bottle. Their Alert CBD capsules perhaps aren't what you'd first think of as a travel remedy. But these capsules are all about clearing your mind and keeping you calm and focused, which might be exactly what you need if you're trying to work on the plane or tackle a day of sightseeing after a red-eye.
To buy: $30, mysoulcbd.com
Laura's Homestead Alternatives Topical CBD Lotion
If you're someone who — no matter how many travel pillows or compression socks you try — has a kink in your neck after traveling, or pain in your back from a hotel bed, topical CBD lotion is worth trying. This all-natural CBD cream meant to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation is, of course, travel-sized to be TSA compliant.
To buy: $43, laurasmercantile.com
Beam CBD Recovery Capsule
Courtesy of Beam
Another remedy for travel-fatigued muscles is Beam's CBD Recovery Capsule. While marketed as a workout recovery CBD product, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients are perfect for a traveler recovering from a longhaul flight.
To buy: beamlc.com
