Hemp is a plant that until the 2018 Farm Bill was considered an illegal substance. After the passage of this bill, hemp and products derived from hemp became legal, as long as they contain 0.3% or less of Delta 9 THC. Additionally, the hemp and products must be grown, processed, and sold according to regulations and guidelines that states and the federal government have put into place.
Though hemp is federally legal, there are still some questions about whether or not one can travel with the products made from hemp, such as hemp cigarettes or CBD tinctures. In this guide we will discuss all you need to know when traveling with your favorite hemp products.
Can I Travel With Hemp?
Hemp is legal on the federal level, but that doesn’t mean every state has legalized it. The federal government has legalized the interstate commerce of hemp and hemp products, regardless of the legality of hemp within that state, but this doesn’t apply to individuals traveling with hemp.
Before you travel, it is important to research the state laws of the states you are traveling to or through and learn its hemp laws.
Bringing a COA
When you’re traveling with hemp, whether it be up in the air or on the road, an essential item you need to have with you is a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This will verify the hemp products you have are legal hemp products that have 0.3% or less of Delta 9 THC. Most hemp products on the market have a QR code that can be scanned and will take you to an online COA.
What is a COA?
A COA is a report given for hemp and cannabis products that shows the chemical makeup. This report lists the various cannabinoids, terpenes, and microbial content that are found within the hemp being tested. When traveling with hemp, it is important to have this report with you to avoid trouble with authorities. The COA confirms the cannabinoid profile of hemp and confirms its legality.
How to Read a COA
COAs can spread across several pages of paper, which is a lot of information to go over. Reading a COA can be very challenging, so below is a brief definition of some of the terms you will find.
- LoQ: The smallest amount that the COA will quantify, the limit of quantification.
- LoD: Stands for the level of detection, which is the smallest amount that the test can detect.
- ND: None detected
- NT: None tested
- CFU: The term used for microbes; it stands for colony-forming units.
Not only are there quite a few unfamiliar terms that are listed within a COA, but there are several different parts to it.
- Supplier Information: Information about the supplier who supplies the different materials and hemp.
- Materials Identification: Identifies the materials that are being verified by the COA. This can include product descriptions, lot numbers, and product codes.
- Evidence of Conformance: Out of the entire COA, this section may be the most important. This is the section where the consumer will find the test results and characteristics of the products and if they follow the requirements set forth by laws pertaining to hemp.
- Signature Date: The signature from the inspector of the product.
How to Obtain a COA
Consumers can find the COA for a product, if it exists, either on the packaging of the product in the form of a QR code or on the website of the company. If you are having difficulty locating a COA for a specific company or product, it likely means there isn’t one. Most hemp companies want consumers to have easy access to their COA information, so it is unlikely that those who have obtained a COA would not list It.
You can absolutely travel with hemp in 2022. Just make sure to have the COA with you to verify the products are legal, and most importantly enjoy your trip with a peace of mind.