Français What the rules say about flying with cannabis
Flying is regulated by the federal government, and the rules depend on where the flight goes.
- Within Canada: the British Columbia government states that you can possess up to 30 g (or equivalent) of non-medical cannabis in Canada, including in airports and on planes. The airport security authority, CATSA, lists cannabis as allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage on domestic trips and tells travellers to know the laws at their destination.
- Out of Canada: CATSA states that flying outside of Canada with cannabis is illegal. The BC government adds that transporting cannabis across the border, in either direction, is illegal whatever the laws of the other country.
- Re-routed flights: if a flight is re-routed to another country, Canadian laws no longer apply there and you may face severe penalties.
Are cannabis seeds treated as cannabis?
Under the federal Cannabis Act, the definition of cannabis has exclusions. One of them is “a non-viable seed of a cannabis plant”. Seeds that can still germinate are not on that list, so the safe assumption is that viable seeds fall under the same rules as other cannabis. The travel pages above do not mention seeds, and we are not lawyers, so if you need a firm answer for a specific trip, ask the Government of Canada or a lawyer.
So, can scanners detect seeds?
We looked for an official statement on this and did not find one. CATSA’s cannabis page does not say what screening officers look for or what happens if cannabis is found. A 2018 CBC report on the start of the domestic rules said that airport security would call the police for amounts over 30 g and that passengers did not have to declare cannabis. Beyond that, anything you read about what a scanner can or cannot see in a bag is a guess, and we will not repeat guesses as facts.
Getting seeds without travelling with them
You do not need to carry seeds on a plane to grow at home. Inside Canada, we ship by Canada Post from Quebec, Monday to Friday, usually the same day or within 24 hours of payment, in plain packaging with no logo. You can read the details on our shipping page. If you are in the USA, our guide to whether cannabis seeds are legal in the USA explains the federal and state picture.
Frequently asked questions
Can airport scanners detect cannabis seeds?
We could not find an official source that answers this, so we cannot say. CATSA’s cannabis page does not describe what screening looks for, and we do not want to guess.
Can I fly within Canada with cannabis?
Yes, for legal non-medical cannabis up to 30 g (or equivalent). CATSA allows it in carry-on and checked bags, and you should know the laws at your destination province.
Can I take cannabis on a flight out of Canada?
No. CATSA and the BC government both state that travelling out of Canada with cannabis is illegal, even to places where cannabis is legal.
Do cannabis seeds count as cannabis in Canada?
Under the Cannabis Act, only non-viable seed is excluded from the definition of cannabis. Viable seeds are not excluded, so the safe assumption is that they are covered by the same rules. Ask the Government of Canada or a lawyer about a specific trip.
Do I have to declare cannabis at airport security in Canada?
When the domestic rules began, CBC reported that passengers did not have to declare cannabis. Rules can change, so check CATSA’s page before you travel.
Sources
- CATSA: Cannabis (marijuana)
- Government of British Columbia: Travelling with cannabis
- CBC: What you should know before taking pot on a plane (2018)
- Cannabis Act, Schedule 2 (Justice Laws Website)
General information, not medical or legal advice.
