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Flying with a Dab Pen: Know Before You Go
Table of Contents
Traveling with a dab pen in your pocket is relatively uncharted territory. Are dab pens allowed on planes? Can you bring a dab pen on a plane internationally? If you've made any preliminary inquiries, you'll have quickly realized there isn't a ton of information out there about the rules for traveling with a dab pen.
It's high time we addressed this lack of traveler intel. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about traveling with dab pens, including airline policies, TSA rules, and the key differences between hemp and marijuana products.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: What's Inside Matters
But before we get into dab pens on planes, we first have to get into the legality of what's inside one: cannabis concentrate. This is a cannabinoid-rich extract that comes from one of two sources: hemp or marijuana. It turns out that the source matters.
From a scientific perspective, both hemp and marijuana plants are the same species: cannabis.
But, at the legal level, cannabis is technically divided into two categories, all dependent on how much THC it contains.
On the legal side, there is hemp. Hemp and all hemp-derived compounds were legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill. So long as the product contains less than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis, it's legal under the federal framework. (Although there are a few states with laws banning specific hemp-derived cannabinoids, they are largely legal.)
On the illegal side is marijuana. According to federal legislation, this is all cannabis containing more than 0.3 percent THC, and it remains strictly prohibited. Of course, many states have legalized marijuana-types, but this doesn't fit the federal perspective.
If you are traveling between states, the number one rule is to only travel with hemp-derived products, like THCA concentrates, and the second rule is to double-check the laws at the destination, as there can be some nuance.
Dab Pen vs. Vape Pen: What's the Difference?
Another point to clear up: what's the difference between a dab pen and a vape pen? Both are devices that vaporize cannabis concentrate, and besides a few details, the tech components and the contents are remarkably similar. Dab pens are generally more customizable, frequently refillable, and allow for more options and concentrate types than straight vape pens.
Despite this similarity, the term dab pen hasn't yet made its way into the popular vernacular — and it definitely hasn't made its way into major airline policy. So, for now, according to most airlines, dab pens fall into the same category as THC vape pens.
All of which is to say you will be allowed to take your dab pen on most major airlines, provided you follow a few basic rules currently governing vape pens.
Airline Policies on Dab Pens
The following is a set of basic rules for traveling with a dab pen. Of course, do your due diligence before your next trip. There are dozens of airlines, and regulations are always changing.
Before you throw a bunch of dab pens in your carry-on before takeoff, double-check the rules on the airlines you fly with and at the destination.
Carry-On Luggage Only
According to airline policies, vapes and electronic smoking devices must be packed in carry-on luggage due to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) vape rules regarding lithium-ion batteries (the TSA limit is 100 Wh or 2g lithium content).
Separate the Battery
To prevent accidental activation, separate the battery from the cartridge, place it in a protective case, or secure it separately.
Hemp-Only Products
Only travel with hemp-derived vapes to comply with federal laws, even when flying between legal states. Choose clearly labeled products like those containing delta-8 THC or THCA.
Interstate Travel Only
Can you bring a dab pen on a plane internationally? No. Avoid international travel with any cannabis products (including hemp), as crossing international borders with the plant in all forms is illegal.
We also recommend confirming the applicable hemp rules at your destination, as a few states have specific hemp and cannabinoid prohibitions.
No Vaping During Travel
Keep your vape device stored in your carry-on during the flight and in the airport. Vaping and charging devices on planes or in airports are prohibited.
Quick Packing Tips for Dab Pens
- Pack in carry-on luggage only; vapes are prohibited in checked bags.
- Ensure batteries comply with TSA limits (100 Wh or 2g lithium content).
- Detach the battery and store components in a protective case.
- Keep hemp products in original, clearly labeled packaging.
- Carry a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for legal compliance.
- Avoid packing any cannabis (including hemp) for international travel.
- Store the pen safely, and do not use or charge it during the flight or in the airport.
Safety and Legal Concerns
Provided you are traveling with strictly hemp-derived cannabis products and have followed airline policy, you shouldn't encounter any issues with the TSA.
Remember that the TSA oversees airport security in the U.S. Its focus is to identify security threats, and its first priority is not to enforce drug laws. However, if TSA officers find marijuana products, such as vapes or dab pens, during screening, they must report it to local law enforcement. As the TSA explains:
"TSA's screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer."
If you're traveling with hemp-derived dab pens, it's best to leave them in their original packaging and carry a printed Certificate of Analysis to verify compliance with legal THC limits.
Traveling Internationally with Dab Pens
What about traveling with dab pens outside the U.S.?
In short, don't do it.
Even though hemp is federally legal in the U.S., international travel with any cannabis products, including hemp, is prohibited. This applies even when traveling between two places where cannabis or hemp is legal, such as Canada and California. Crossing international borders with cannabis products can lead to serious legal consequences.
