Even though you can legally buy marijuana products in Maryland, as long as you are at least 21 years old, there are still many restrictions on what you can do with them. For instance, you typically cannot fly with them, at least on commercial flights. This is true even if you made a legal purchase at a dispensary and you have the receipt.
What makes flying illegal is that marijuana is still restricted at the federal level. When you fly, you cross state lines, and this means that federal law takes jurisdiction. You also may be flying into a state like Texas or Georgia, where recreational marijuana products are still illegal. So flying can put you in violation of the law on numerous levels, even when you did not break the law while making the initial purchase.
Can the TSA arrest you?
So what happens if you forget that you have marijuana with you and you try to fly? Say that the TSA officers find a package of edibles in your pocket while you are going through security. Are they going to arrest you?
When asked about this, a TSA official pointed out that these officers are not technically law-enforcement officers. As such, they cannot make an arrest. But they may detain you and contact the police if it appears that you have broken the law. If you are illegally transporting marijuana, they would have the option to contact the authorities.
What options do you have?
Laws like this can lead to some difficult scenarios because people may break the law accidentally. If you find yourself facing serious criminal charges, be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.