The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its medical marijuana guidance, adding new information to its “What Can I Bring?” directory for both carry-on and checked luggage.

Why you should care:

The revised guidance allows patients who use cannabis to treat conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, nausea and other qualifying medical issues to travel with their medication for use once they reach their destination.

Experts recommend that travelers separate their treatment routine from the travel experience itself, waiting until they arrive before consuming cannabis.

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What they’re saying:

“For most patients, the goal isn’t to use cannabis on the plane. It’s making sure they have access to their medicine when they arrive,” Professor Rob Mejia of Stockton University’s Cannabis Studies Department and author of The Essential Cannabis Book told Fox News Digital.

Big picture view:

Cannabis use during a flight is generally discouraged. Airlines prohibit smoking and vaping, while edible products may affect users differently in the unique conditions of air travel.

Although some seasoned consumers may take a low-dose edible before flying to help with anxiety or sleep, Mejia emphasized that experience and familiarity with the product are critical.

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“An airport or airplane is not the place to test a new product or take a dose you are not accustomed to,” he advised. “What feels relaxing to an experienced consumer can easily feel overwhelming to someone with less experience.”

Dig deeper:

Research suggests cannabis can place additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Clinical data published by the American College of Cardiology indicates that cannabis use can significantly affect heart rhythm regulation and increase the heart muscle’s oxygen demand.

At the same time, studies from the University of Florida show that higher altitudes naturally cause the heart to work harder and beat faster due to reduced oxygen levels. Combined with cannabis use, these effects may increase the risk of acute cardiovascular distress.

Rather than easing travel-related anxiety, high-potency or unpredictable cannabis doses taken at cruising altitude may intensify symptoms such as severe nausea, dizziness and hyperventilation.

“The overall goal should be continuity of care during travel, not medicating at 35,000 feet,” Mejia said.

As cannabis increasingly serves as a primary medication rather than an alternative therapy for many patients, experts stress the importance of careful planning before traveling with it.

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“The safest cannabis travel plan is understanding the laws before you pack,” Mejia advised, cautioning travelers not to misread the TSA’s updated guidance.

“A TSA checkpoint is not a legal shield from state or local enforcement,” the expert noted. “The TSA checks for security threats, not cannabis. That doesn’t mean cannabis can’t become your problem.”

Mejia also said presentation matters when carrying cannabis products through security.

“If your cannabis looks legitimate, labeled and professionally packaged, you’re less likely to raise questions.”

He later added, “If your cannabis looks legitimate, labeled and professionally packaged, you’re less likely to raise questions than if you’re carrying a bag of mystery gummies and a handful of loose flower.”

If a TSA agent has concerns about an item, they may refer the matter to law enforcement authorities.

While domestic travel involving cannabis remains a legal gray area in many situations, experts warn that international travel presents far greater risks. Crossing international borders with cannabis can result in serious legal consequences, regardless of the laws in the destination country.

“If you’re traveling internationally, leave your cannabis at home,” Mejia advised. “Even in countries that have legalized cannabis, the rules for visitors can be very different from the rules for residents.”