It’s been five years since airport officials announced they wouldn’t arrest passengers found with small amounts of cannabis and other drugs at customs.
But now we’re in 2020, are rules about to get even more lenient?
Previously we learned that official guidance to Border and Immigration was to steer clear of making arrests for “personal use” quantities of Class B drugs, such as cannabis, amphetamines and mephedrone. Personal use in relation to cannabis is usually classed as around one ounce (28 grams).
However, even though passengers at UK airports caught returning with small amounts of cannabis probably won’t be arrested, they will still have their drugs confiscated.
In 2020, could this be about to change?
We’ve seen in the US that medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996. And then starting in 2012, Colorado and Washington become the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, following the passage of Amendment 64 and Initiative 502.
It wasn’t long before these relaxed cannabis laws spread to many other states. And with America’s influence on the rest of the western world, it’s not difficult to see how legal recreational use of marijuana could spread further still. Canada legalised the drug completely in 2018, for example.
However, although attitudes towards marijuana use are softening around the world, it’s still very much illegal in the UK. Normally cannabis possession is dealt with by the Police, with a £90 fine or a warning, while possession of other Class B drugs can be lead to imprisonment for up to five years.
With that in mind, we would always recommend against bringing marijuana back into the country, even if it is in edible form. Although you may only have a small amount confiscated if it’s found on your person, it’s still illegal and wherever you’re flying from may have a different policy towards smuggling it through the airport.
And the law does not see a difference based on what form the drug takes, even if baked into a brownie!
Instead of bringing any cannabis back to the UK, why not check out our blog post on choosing where to stay in Amsterdam instead?
And if you do decide to visit, there’s nothing higher than our discounts on airport parking!
What’s the Law on Flying With CBD Oil?
CBD oil has recently become popular for treating a wide range of ailments, from pain to mood swings.
It’s legal in the UK with a specialist doctor’s prescription, as it doesn’t contain THC, the constituent of cannabis that actually gets you high. For this reason, use of CBD should not hamper your ability to pass a drug test.
However, although CBD oil is legal when prescribed by a specialist, we don’t recommend trying to fly with it on your person or in your luggage.
Apart from the potential to make customs officials nervous and bring attention to yourself when you hit security, but laws differ so much from country to country that you could end up in trouble once you land at the other end.
Best to avoid travelling with CBD if you can, at least for the time being.
