Local laws that catch crew out in Chicago

Illinois sells cannabis legally to adults of 21 and over. A non-resident may possess 30 grams of flower, 500 milligrams of THC in an infused product, and 5 grams of concentrate. The limits for Illinois residents are double that, so the resident figures quoted to you in a shop are not your figures.

The state prohibits use in any public place and in a motor vehicle, and says cannabis is not permitted on federal property at all, including federal parks and buildings. Buying it in the city and walking it back through the terminal are two entirely different legal acts.

Illinois states that cannabis should not be transported across state lines, and that while a motor vehicle is in operation it must be in a secured, sealed, odour-proof, child-resistant container in its original packaging. Crossing a state line with it is a federal matter regardless of what Illinois permits.

TSA states that its officers do not search for illegal drugs, but that any illegal substance or evidence of criminal activity found during screening is referred to a law enforcement officer, and that the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer. Legality under state law is not a defence at the checkpoint.

Carrying more than 10,000 US dollars in currency or monetary instruments into or out of the United States must be reported to CBP. Failure to report can mean confiscation of all the currency or monetary instruments, a fine of up to 500,000 dollars, and up to ten years of imprisonment.