Is it illegal to Mail Marijuana?

Marijuana is becoming increasingly popular not just for its recreational use but also for medicinal purposes. Even though cannabis is being legalized in the US, it doesn’t equate to cannabis regulations being more lenient.

At a federal level, cannabis is still categorized as a controlled substance, which means it can’t be transported legally across state lines. States differ in their laws concerning the possession and use of cannabis, which makes it hard to make generalized statements.

Buying Marijuana Online

In some states, buying marijuana online is legal and becoming increasingly popular, too. If you live in a state where recreational marijuana use is legalized, then it is likely that you’ll find some licensed dispensaries that offer delivery services.

Getting cannabis through the internet is easier and simpler because you can be very specific with what you want. On top of that, the product is being delivered right to your doorstep.

Some people find it convenient because you can buy high-quality products discreetly. Buying from licensed dispensaries means you’re not breaking any laws.

Federal Laws on Mailing Marijuana

It is illegal to mail cannabis as it is cannabis classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance by federal law. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) remains strict about the regulations concerning cannabis even though it is legalized rapidly.

The law deems any portion of cannabis that contains over 0.3% delta-9 THC concentration to be illegal. It is true that government agency typically deals with large-circle operations and drug rings, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t investigate seemingly harmless things like finding cannabis in someone’s mail.

Even the USPS has specific protocols when dealing with people mailing marijuana through their mail. It is explicitly prohibited to mail marijuana. Legal hemp products, on the other hand, can be shipped across state lines. But they have to contain less than 0.3% THC.

Private mailing services like FedEx, DHL, or UPS also have similar regulations that prohibit the shipment of cannabis. Like USPS, they also prohibit the shipment of cannabinoid products that contain more than 0.3% THC.

Shipping services can inspect suspicious packages and report whatever they find. If you are planning to mail any legal cannabinoid product, make sure to include the certificate of analysis.

Shipping marijuana overseas is also prohibited by the law. Foreign countries have different rules and regulations concerning marijuana. Needless to say, the package will be inspected through customs, and any illegal substance found in it will result in the confiscation of said package.

State Laws on Mailing Marijuana

Even if marijuana is legalized for recreational or medicinal use, transporting weed through the mail is still illegal. That’s because the USPS is not operated by the state. It’s actually operated by the federal government. As federal law supersedes state laws, it is quite obvious that you cannot, under any circumstances, mail marijuana.

Other shipping companies like  UPS, DHL, and FedEx also follow federal law regarding the transportation of cannabis. This means you can’t ship cannabis even within the state borders.

It doesn’t matter what kind of cannabinoid product you’re planning to mail. Cannabis flowers, oil, and any other marijuana products are strictly prohibited from shipping.

Alternative to Mailing Marijuana

By now, you already know that mailing marijuana is not an option. Fortunately, there are other ways of obtaining marijuana.

Special delivery services are available in some states. These services offer easy access to marijuana within the state’s boundaries. No mailing is involved, but the result is the same. You can get cannabis delivered right at your place. This cannabis delivery service is very popular among the locals in the states.

In some states, you can even gift cannabis products to people, assuming no exchange of money is involved. It should be mentioned that these transactions are made in person and not through mail. Guising cannabis products as gifts and mailing them can undoubtedly get you in trouble.

You can practice this only in a few states, including Alaska, Colorado, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. In these and a few other states, gifting marijuana can be practiced as long as you follow the regulations set out by the state’s governing body.

FAQ:

1.  Can marijuana be shipped to Minnesota?

No, mailing or shipping marijuana across state lines is illegal. This applies even if both the recipient and sender’s state have legalized marijuana.

2.  Can marijuana be shipped to Canada?

No, shipping overseas is illegal. Even if you can somehow bypass the shipping agency, the customs will still check your package.

3.  Can drug dogs smell edibles?

Yes, dogs have highly susceptible noses that can detect a variety of narcotics. Trained dogs can easily detect marijuana (THC) no matter what form it is.

4.  Is there a drug detector?

Drugs can be detected through various means. Testing someone’s blood, urine, saliva or even hair is enough to tell us about what drugs were ingested. Handheld portable devices are also used to quickly figure out what kind of narcotics are in question.

5.  What are 3 drugs that can be detected in urine?

Three narcotic substances that can be detected through urine include marijuana, opiates, and cocaine. But the list does not stop there. Almost all sorts of drugs can be detected through a urine sample.

Conclusion

Cannabis is used widely for its psychoactive and medicinal properties. Even though mailing cannabis isn’t legal, you still have the option of having them delivered home. On top of that, you can send them as gifts, assuming you live in a state where they let you practice that.

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Nazmul Nahid

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