Updated May 20, 2026, 7:36 p.m. ET
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a TSA statement that its medical marijuana policy has not changed. If illegal substances are found during screening, TSA refers the matter to law enforcement.
Traveling with Cannabis: TSA Guidelines and Texas Law
Under the Transportation Security Administration’s “What Can I Bring” rules, passengers may carry medical marijuana in either a carry‑on or checked bag, but they must follow specific instructions.
However, in states such as Texas, recreational cannabis remains illegal under both state and federal law, and even medical use is tightly regulated.
Is weed legal in Texas?
No. Texas prohibits the possession, sale, or use of marijuana for recreational purposes, and the state’s Compassionate Use Program allows only low‑THC cannabis for certain qualifying medical conditions.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, creating a gray area for products like delta‑8 THC and THCA flower, which can mimic the effects of delta‑9 THC. Texas has moved to restrict many of these hemp‑derived items, though legal challenges continue.
Can I bring weed on my flight?
According to the TSA, screening officers focus on threats to aviation and do not actively search for illegal drugs. If a substance prohibited by federal law is discovered during screening, the officer must refer the matter to local law enforcement.
“TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers,” the agency states. “Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance or evidence of criminal activity is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”
A TSA spokesperson told USA TODAY that the agency’s medical‑marijuana guidance has not changed.
What happens if TSA catches me with weed at the airport?
Because marijuana remains a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (except for FDA‑approved products that were rescheduled to Schedule III in late 2025), any amount found in a passenger’s luggage can lead to a referral to police.
In April 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order moving FDA‑approved marijuana medicines to Schedule III, following an executive order by President Donald Trump in December 2025 that eased federal restrictions on cannabis. Despite this shift, plant‑form marijuana remains federally illegal.
If TSA officers locate cannabis, they will not confiscate it themselves; instead, they will notify airport police or the relevant law‑enforcement agency, which may issue a citation, make an arrest, or refer the case for prosecution depending on local jurisdiction.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
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