States that have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use have drawn many people interested in purchasing products from companies offering weed delivery. As the cannabis industry has become more widespread, federal regulations remain stringent; therefore, there have been questions as to whether you can mail marijuana. The short answer is Yes and No. This article will address this question and more.
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is unlawful to ship any amount across state lines via mail regardless of state laws regarding cannabis use or regulation. Because USPS is a federal entity, engaging in any unlawful activity through it could incur severe repercussions including potential felony drug charges.
The Postal Service processes millions of pieces of mail each day, including packages. Although its Postal Inspection Service examines these items, due to limited staff and resources it cannot inspect every package individually; so instead it relies on employees and members of the public who report suspicious packages; incentives like offering $50k are in place as an incentive for employees and members of the public alike to report suspicious packages.
Even with increased incentives, postal inspectors still may miss illegal substances when handling deliveries. The risk is even higher for private shipping companies such as UPS and FedEx who do not require warrants in order to open packages they suspect violate federal law, as they can refuse delivery of such packages without penalty.
UPS and FedEx
As such, both UPS and FedEx adhere to stringent policies regarding the shipping of illicit materials, prohibiting anything that violates the Controlled Substances Act as well as hemp-related products that could otherwise fall within their purview. As a result, many consumers looking for legal hemp or delta-8 THC products may not be able to receive them via these shipping services.
There are various alternative solutions available to you for mailing your weed. Bike courier and local delivery services tend to be less discriminating when it comes to accepting items they accept for shipment, making these companies viable options for legally shipping weed and products that meet Farm Bill regulations.
If you’re uncertain if it is safe to mail marijuana, the post office can give an idea of their policy and help select safer shipping methods. Furthermore, speaking to a legal attorney regarding shipping regulations could also provide more insight. Finally, considering using a company that specializes in marijuana delivery can give peace of mind that your package will arrive safely and on time; you can search their website to locate one.