Can CBD be transported by train?

What you need to know about the conditions of legality of CBD products in France

It's simple: CBD has gone from a sulphurous molecule surrounded by controversy to a health and well-being molecule increasingly recommended by health professionals to improve the quality of daily life. Two major factors have contributed to this development: the convincing results of scientific studies that have explored the virtues of cannabinoids, and legislative advances in this area. To deal with the question of the transport of CBD by train, it is imperative to return to the essence of the law, because the legislator does not mention the specific case of transport.

For years, the law of August 22, 1990 served as a compass, delimiting the contours of the industrial and commercial use (excluding consumption) of CBD in France. Hemp fibers and seeds were then the only parts of the plant from which CBD could be extracted, and only the Cannabis Sativa L. variety was accepted for cultivation.

The Kanavape case, which found its epilogue in 2020, had major repercussions on the legal status of CBD in France and in EU countries. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has indeed delivered a long-awaited judgment in November 2020 stipulating that CBD should not be considered either as a narcotic or as a medicine, provided that its THC concentration does not does not exceed 0.2% (a limit that will later be raised to 0.3%).

This historic decision, which the CJEU motivated by the principle of free movement of goods in the European area, logically led to a revision of CBD regulations in member countries, including France, in 2021 This is the year that will sign the authorization to market and consume CBD products with less than 0.2% THC… and therefore their transport, including by train.

Let's insist for a moment on the distinction between CBD and THC, because the question is crucial. These two molecules are naturally present in the hemp plant (unlike H4CBD, which is a molecule synthesized by humans). But unlike CBD, THC induces psychotropic and addictive effects. In short, the molecule confuses the mind and alters cognitive functions. THC is obviously prohibited, and only CBD products that contain almost no THC are allowed.

In France, consumers can shop from a wide range of formats, packaging, varieties, strains and legal hemp products. From foods to oils, cosmetics and e-cigarettes, these wellness products can be freely transported, including by train, as we will see in the next part.

Transporting CBD to France: the legal framework

Whether you transport CBD for personal use or for commercial purposes, the conditions of legality of CBD products apply, in particular compliance with hygiene standards as well as respect for the maximum level of THC. Please note: any violation of these rules can lead to criminal prosecution, in the name of the fight against drug trafficking. No negligence is therefore tolerable.

As regards the transport of CBD by train in France, there are no notable specificities to take into account, apart from respecting the maximum limit of THC (and the hygiene and transport conditions goods if you are a professional).

Transporting CBD by train is generally less prone to complications than transporting it by plane, as controls at land borders are less strict than those at airports. When you travel by train in the Schengen area (EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), it is even very unlikely that your luggage will be subject to controls.

This does not relieve you of certain obligations, including keeping proof of purchase or a receipt for your CBD products, showing the THC level and the origin of the product, to present to the agent in case control.

Carrying CBD by train: best practices to adopt

Are you planning to travel by train with CBD in your luggage? Here are some golden rules to follow:

• Ensure the legality of your products. Before embarking on a train journey with CBD in your luggage, you must ensure that your products strictly comply with the legal THC limit, established to 0.3% in France, 1% in Switzerland, 0.6% in Italy and 0.2% in the majority of the others EU countries. At this level, you must rely on the legislation of the strictest country in your journey. If you are traveling from Switzerland to France, the limit to respect is 0.3% (France), and not 1% (Switzerland), regardless of the direction of travel. Once again, no negligence is tolerated, at the risk of tipping into the criminal law;
• Ideally, carry a new product, still sealed in its original packaging ;
• Favor airtight packaging. To avoid any possibility of product leaks, or embarrassing odors, your CBD products must be packaged in a perfectly sealed container. Hermetically sealed glass or plastic receptacles will prevent any contamination or loss of product;
• Keep proof of purchase. This is the basis for traveling serenely. Your receipt or ticket must show THC level and product origin. Product packaging is not enough. In the event of an inspection, this document will corroborate the fact that you have authorized, authentic and unadulterated products, and possibly prove your good faith in the event of a bad surprise on the THC level if you got your supplies from a dubious supplier (big mistake that can cost you dearly);
• Remain calm and cooperative during a control. Sif you find yourself in a police check situation when with CBD in baggage, keep calm and be cooperative. Present your proof of purchase, explain clearly that you are transporting CBD in compliance with current regulations, and not cannabis recreational and psychotropic.

Note: if you consume CBD under medical prescription (CBD and THC are authorized in certain medicines in France, in particular against epileptic seizures), bring a proof (prescription for example).

321CBD, your trusted supplier of rigorously tested CBD products

The transport of CBD by train does not generally present any particular problem, provided that the products transported are legal, with a THC level of less than 0.3%, in accordance with the legislation in force.

Extreme care must be taken, as there is always a risk when sourcing from dubious, negligent or unscrupulous suppliers. You will likely end up with CBD mixed with other substances and THC levels above the legal limit. In case of control, you risk big, even very big (prison sentence and fine, in the name of the fight against drug trafficking). So exercise caution and common sense.

321CBD is THE benchmark for CBD products in France. The flowers, oils, concentrates, foods and e-liquids with CBD that we offer have been subjected to rigorous tests carried out by independent laboratories to guarantee their conformity, their quality and the accuracy of cannabinoid levels, including THC. You can therefore gratify your body and your mind with the thousand and one virtues of good legal hemp with complete peace of mind, including during a train journey!