One cannabis mistake at airport could bring 10 years in prison and $15,000 fine

Before heading overseas, American travelers are warned to double-check their bags for one item that could lead to hefty fines or even prison time.

U.S. officials are reminding travelers that bringing cannabis products across international borders remains illegal in many countries — following a new customs policy in Thailand that significantly increases penalties for violators.

In June 2026, Thailand introduced tougher penalties for travelers caught bringing cannabis across its borders. Violators can face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 Thai baht (about $15,000), or both, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) for comment.

Although Thailand decriminalized cannabis possession in 2022, importing or exporting cannabis without the proper permissions remains illegal, the warning said.

Jeffrey Hoffman, a New York-based cannabis attorney, said travelers should never assume that laws at home apply once they cross an international border.

"While we are seeing cannabis laws relaxed in countries like Canada and in various states in the U.S., cannabis is still generally illegal across the overwhelming majority of the planet," Hoffman told Fox News Digital. "When you travel to a different jurisdiction, you become subject to its laws."

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Hoffman, a legalization activist, pointed to the high-profile case of WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia after authorities found cannabis oil in her luggage, as a reminder that some countries strictly enforce drug laws.

"There is no safe harbor when traveling internationally," he said. "Even a mistake is no excuse."

Travel expert and former flight attendant Bobby Laurie, based in the D.C. area, said many travelers mistakenly assume that if something is legal at home, it's automatically legal everywhere they go.

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"Even if you're carrying a cannabis product for personal use or have a medical prescription, that doesn't guarantee it [will] be allowed at your destination," Laurie told Fox News Digital. "Some countries have extremely strict drug laws, and the penalties can be severe."

Laurie recommended checking local laws before every trip, plus emptying backpacks, purses and carry-ons of forgotten items. He said people should never assume customs officials will overlook a mistake.

Some countries have laws governing everyday items that many travelers would never expect, Laurie noted — pointing to Singapore's restrictions on chewing gum as a reminder to research destination-specific rules before packing.

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"This is one of those things you wouldn't know unless you researched it, and how many of us walk around with that in our bags?" he said.

Fox News Digital previously reported that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently updated its guidance for travelers carrying medical marijuana on domestic flights.

While the agency permits certain medical cannabis products under limited circumstances, experts emphasized that international travel is a different matter.

Crossing international borders with cannabis remains subject to the laws of the destination country, regardless of whether marijuana is legal where a traveler lives.

The TSA also notes that while its officers are focused on security screening, they may refer suspected violations of law to local law enforcement.

Khloe Quill of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.