Misconceptions about cannabis run rampant. One area these misconceptions swirl about is mailing cannabis. Let’s be clear, in the United States, it is illegal to mail cannabis. However, if you decide to take the chance, it is safer to use the United States Postal Service instead of a third party company like FedEx, UPS, or DHL.
Technically, it should be okay to mail cannabis within the same state, if the state has legalized its use. However, the federal government interprets the law to make this illegal also. Therefore, you cannot legally mail cannabis anywhere in the United States, even in states where it is legal. But, many people still take the chance.
If you use a federal courier service (like USPS), the federal government can open any package – but they need a search warrant. But, to get a search warrant they only need probable cause. With the invention and implementation of increasingly sophisticated methods of detection, this is becoming easier. And, because of the distinctive smell of marijuana, it can still be detected, even if you take all the precautions you can think of. You can triple wrap it in plastic bags and when agencies use scanners, dogs, and other methods they can still detect it.
Now, the government is not really after small amounts that maybe you are sending to your friend. They want to focus on large shipments that are being sent through the mail without a license. But, you could still get caught in their crosshairs. You are never 100% safe mailing marijuana. You might think you are safer using a private courier, like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. But you need to know that if you use FedEx, UPS, or DHL, they can open any package, without probable cause, and confiscate the contents if it is illegal. Furthermore, even though these agencies are not part of the federal government, they tend to work with the government in their efforts to find and reduce the transport of illegal drugs.
If you live in Canada, however, mailing cannabis is preferred. So, in Canada it is legal, but in the United States it is not legal. It is not worth the chance of discovery to mail a small amount of cannabis. You may not realize it is a crime, but it can lead to a fine or even jail. It is illegal to ship, even in states where it is legal because it is federally illegal. And, federal laws overrules state laws. So, until the United States federal government decides to legalize marijuana, mailing it will always be illegal.
It is legal to ship CBD (Cannabidiol), which is derived from hemp. When it is derived from hemp, there is no THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in the product. This is the chemical, in cannabis, that gives people a “high” feeling. CBD is legal everywhere and is many times sold alongside products coming from marijuana. Some people even think they are the same thing, which they are not. Therefore, it is legal to buy this online, ship it, mail it, and gift it to other people.
So, the biggest myth of being able to ship marijuana in a state where it is legal is false. But, the myth that CBD and cannabis do the same thing is also incorrect. Even recreational and medicinal marijuana are different. If you want to ship your marijuana to someone, or sell it to someone, and you decide to mail or ship it, you must know that you are taking a big risk, even if you take precautions not to get caught. Getting nabbed for doing this can cost you financially and legally. You may end up with a fine or in jail. And the bigger the quantity, the higher the punishment. So, if you decide to take the risk, be warned, it is illegal.
