A new customs policy in Thailand means Americans traveling with cannabis in their bags, even accidentally, could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of nearly $15,000, or both.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand announced in a July 9 alert that the new rule went into effect on June 17, replacing the previous policy of confiscation without charge. Cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand since 2022, but it’s illegal to cross borders with it without proper permissions.
“You are subject to local laws when traveling abroad,” the agency said. “The U.S. government cannot guarantee your release when you are detained or arrested abroad.”
Thailand isn’t the only country where travelers could get in serious trouble for bringing cannabis products. In 2022, WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia on drug possession charges when vape cartridges with oil derived from cannabis were found in her luggage by border agents, which she said was prescribed medical cannabis to help with off-season pain management. The basketball player was sentenced to prison in Russia and served 10 months until she was released under a prisoner exchange deal.
“I never want anybody to go through what I went through. I’m aware that I’m very blessed and very lucky to have an agency team, my wife and everybody behind me,” Griner told USA TODAY last year. “I want people to be able to be aware, informed and to know where they’re going, where they’re traveling.”
For many travelers, the laws around cannabis usage within a country vs. what’s considered importing and exporting can feel convoluted. Traveling with cannabis products, even without intention to traffic, can lead to severe consequences around the world. That includes items that seem harmless back home, like those gummies to help with sleep.
Where Is It Illegal to Travel With Cannabis Products?
Traveling with cannabis products is illegal nearly everywhere, according to Dan Richards, founder and CEO of Global Rescue, a travel risk and crisis response provider. Global Rescue’s intel department, which publishes travel intelligence on 220 countries and principalities around the world, found it to be illegal in all those places to bring in any kind of cannabis-related substance.
“So there are countries, of course, where you can buy and consume cannabis products; when it comes to actually transporting them across borders, there is no country that we are aware of where it isn’t against the law and where there isn’t some kind of penalty for doing so,” Richards said. “But of course, the penalties range.”
For example, cannabis can be purchased for personal consumption in the Netherlands, but carrying it across borders is considered trafficking. Even a small amount in your bags can get you “looped into the drug trafficking,” and it’s highly possible law enforcement won’t make an exemption, he added.
In some countries, getting caught by border agents is a minor issue. But in others, such as Turkey or Egypt, it can result in hefty fines and imprisonment.
What Precautions Should Travelers Take?
Arriving at a destination with cannabis means you technically already broke the local law, and the next steps are “more complicated” because it depends on the associated penalties and policies of that country, according to Richards.
The best precaution is to thoroughly inspect your bags before departing on your trip to ensure that nothing is accidentally left in them. If you’re at a U.S. airport and notice you have cannabis substances, Richards said to dispose of them. “Unfortunately, the time to remember is before you get through security and obviously on the airplane to the place you’re going,” he said.
Travelers should also do their research on the U.S. State Department’s international travel page ahead of time to understand what’s illegal at their destination – and not just cannabis. Turks and Caicos has strict firearms and ammunition laws that are strongly enforced at airports. A single bullet discovered in someone’s suitcase could end in an arrest, fines and jail sentences of 12 years or longer.
Another good starting point is the State Department’s travel advisories. “Our Destination Information Pages include the Travel Advisory, entry and exit requirements, tips from the U.S. Embassy, health considerations, local laws, and a range of other important travel guidance,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
“People do this kind of stuff all the time. … There’s intentionality with some part of the population, but there’s a whole bunch of people that do it accidentally,” Richards said. “And different countries have different rules about all kinds of things.”
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