Attempting to take a dab cart (cannabis oil cartridge) through a TSA checkpoint is a high-risk activity because cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law, which governs all airport security operations. TSA’s primary mission is to detect threats like explosives or weapons, not to actively search for drugs; however, if a TSA officer discovers a substance that appears to be cannabis (including vape carts, flower, or edibles) during their standard screening, they are legally mandated by federal policy to refer the matter to local law enforcement. While some travelers try to "hide" carts by placing them in toiletry bags or mixing them with standard nicotine vapes, advanced X-ray scanners can easily identify the distinct density of oil and metal components. If local police are called, the outcome depends on the state's laws—in legal states like California, they may simply ask you to dispose of it, but in other jurisdictions, it can lead to arrest or heavy fines. The safest approach in 2026 is to leave cannabis products at home and avoid the potential for federal travel bans or criminal records.