Before you head to the airport for that international trip, stop and dig through every single pocket of your bag. One forgotten item can turn your vacation into years in a foreign prison and a hefty fine. U.S. officials are warning American travelers that cannabis products remain illegal to bring across most international borders. The latest alert comes from Thailand, which toughened its rules in June. Under the new Thai customs policy, getting caught with cannabis can mean up to 10 years in prison, a fine of 500,000 Thai baht (roughly $15,000), or both. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Thailand made it plain: even though Thailand decriminalized possession in 2022, importing or exporting cannabis without proper permission is still illegal. Jeffrey Hoffman, a New York cannabis attorney, laid it out in plain language: “While we are seeing cannabis laws relaxed in countries like Canada and in various states in the US, cannabis is still generally illegal across the overwhelming majority of the planet. When you travel to a different jurisdiction, you become subject to its laws.” He pointed to WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia after authorities found cannabis oil in her luggage. “There is no safe harbor when traveling internationally,” Hoffman said. “Even a mistake is no excuse.” Travel expert and former flight attendant Bobby Laurie said that he sees this mistake constantly, saying that people tend to pack as if the rules from their home jurisdiction will travel with them. “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,” he said. “Some countries have extremely strict drug laws, and the penalties can be severe.” Laurie’s advice is simple. Check the local laws for every destination before you pack. Empty the backpacks, purses, and carry ons. Look for anything you forgot. Never assume a customs agent will let it slide because it was only a small amount or because you have a card. He even cited Singapore’s chewing gum ban as a reminder that countries ban everyday items most of us never think about. “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?” The TSA has guidance for medical marijuana on domestic flights, but that guidance ends at the border. Once travelers cross into another country, that country’s laws control everything that happens from there on out. TSA officers focus on security, and they will hand suspected violations to local law enforcement. So before you zip your suitcase, do the check. Those few minutes can be the difference between a pleasant vacation and an extended stay in a foreign prison.