Amnesty boxes, which were added to the airport in January, have been sparsely used for marijuana, said Sgt. Matt Harrell of the Colorado Springs Department airport unit.
"I think people know," he said. "They haven't been trying it."
While some travelers have dropped off edibles, marijuana vapor cigarettes and grams of marijuana, he said those aren't the most common items.
"What we've gotten more than anything is unused prescription medication," Harrell said.
Since the 2012 passage of state Amendment 64, which allows people 21 years and older to use or have recreational marijuana, and the official implementation of the law in the state this year, agencies, organizations and law enforcement officials have had to adapt to the change.
With federal law prohibiting marijuana - and having jurisdiction over airplane travel - confusion can emerge where state laws differ.
The amnesty boxes give passengers a last chance to ditch anything that might be illegal before going through security and possibly facing consequences.
The Transportation Security Administration, which screens airlines passengers and their bags, will call Colorado Springs police if a passenger tries to take marijuana onto a plane.
Denver International Airport does not have marijuana amnesty boxes, a spokesman for the airport said. They ask people to just throw it away, he said.
In addition to marijuana and prescription drugs, Harrell said other items, such as water bottles and cigarette butts, are found when the boxes are checked once a month.
"Probably gummy bears are the strangest thing we've seen in there," he said.
Can you travel with?
1. Marijuana? No. Federal law prohibits passengers from traveling with marijuana, medical or recreational.
2. Prescription drugs? Yes. They can be checked or carried on to a plane. TSA recommends the medication is labeled to help get through security faster, but it is not required.
3. Ninja stars? Yes. Passengers can take martial arts and self defense items such as brass knuckles and ninja stars on a plane, but they must be checked in.
4. Nerf guns? Yes. TSA suggests you check them, though.
5. Snow globes? Yes. If it appears to contain less than 3.4 ounces of liquid it can be packed in carry-on luggage as long as it fits in a one-quart sized bag plastic bag. Larger snow globes must packed in checked bags.
6. Live fish? Yes. But as a carry-on only. The TSA says the fish must be in a clear, plastic spill-proof container, which may be more than 3.4 ounces. A TSA officer will have to visually inspect the fish.
7. Alcohol? Yes. Bottles of alcohol more than 3.4 ounces must be checked in. Bottles with less liquid may be carried on, but must be in a one quart/liter plastic bag with a zip-top and are limited to one per person.
8. Snakes? It depends. The TSA recommends you check airline policy before traveling with pets and animals. Some can be carried on or checked.
9. Frozen rack of lamb? Yes, meat, fish and vegetables and other food items can be checked and carried on. If the food is packed in ice, or ice packs, the ice must be frozen when taken through the screening. If not, they will not be allowed. The FAA limits a passenger to 5 pounds of dry ice, which can also be carried on or checked.
10. Crematory remains? It depends. Some airlines do not allow cremated remains as checked baggages. Security officials will not open the crematory container. TSA suggests a container made of lightweight material, like wood or plastic.
11. Spray paint? It depends. Chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, tear gas and spray paint are not allowed to be carried on. They may be allowed in checked bags. Passengers should check with their airlines.
Source: apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_home.aspx
Read more at http://gazette.com
Casey Parker with Colorado Springs Airport Operations installs an amnesty box outside the security checkpoint at the airport Wednesday, January 15, 2013. Two amnesty boxes are being installed for people who didn't realize that it's illegal to possess marijuana on a plane. It is legal to leave marijuana in a parked car at airports under the Colorado law that legalized recreational marijuana, but you can't bring marijuana inside airport facilities. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette
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