LAX May Get Amnesty Boxes For Forgetful Pot Enthusiasts

LOS ANGELES, CA — If anyone is likely to forget they have marijuana in their pocket, it's someone who has marijuana in their pocket.

A Los Angeles City Councilman is proposing a form of sanctuary for forgetful pot partakers who bring cannabis with them to Los Angeles International Airport. Legislation introduced Friday calls for the airport to install marijuana amnesty boxes where passengers could surrender cannabis before departing on flights.

Naturally, Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, introduced the idea Friday -- 4/20 -- the informal holiday for cannabis enthusiasts. Airports in other cities and states where recreational marijuana is legal have already introduced similar amnesty boxes.

California law allows adults ages 21 and older to use, purchase, possess or grow a certain amount of marijuana for recreational use, but those activities are still illegal under federal law, which has jurisdiction over air travel.

Those who mistakenly carry cannabis with them on a flight face verbal warnings, fines or even arrest, and the councilman said he wants to mitigate those chances for travelers who might have enjoyed marijuana legally in California.

"We want to make sure that residents and visitors to Los Angeles can enjoy a bummer-free experience at our airport," Englander said. "And while it is not encouraged that travelers have marijuana on their person when they arrive at LAX, this motion provides an easy remedy for the occasions when this does occur so that flyers can stay on the right side of the law."

As the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana use, Englander said it's important for California to take steps to inform and protect law abiding citizens.

"This legislation sends the message: surrender your supply before you fly," he said.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock