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“We Don’t Care What’s Legal for You:” Canadian Pot Users to Be Turned Away at the Border

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol essentially says, “We don’t care what’s legal for you,” thanks to rules and regulations surrounding the use of marijuana and travelers crossing the border from Canada who may work in the industry when the country legalizes retail marijuana sales starting on October 17.

Starting October 17, Canada will become the first major country to completely legalize retail sales of marijuana. Great for Canada! But it could spell trouble for any Canadian trying to get into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol already has rules in place for what the States considers illegal drugs. If someone admits to using one – no matter how legal it is in their home country – they can be stopped from entering the U.S. Now, if that person lies about using the drug, they can be banned for life.

This poses a potential problem for pot smokers in Canada who wish to enter the U.S. via car.

“Our officers are not going to be asking everyone whether they have used marijuana, but if other questions lead there — or if there is a smell coming from the car, they might ask,” Todd Owen, executive assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations, told Politico.

Dogs at the border could even sniff out past-use residue, which would lead to questioning.

“If you lie about it, that’s fraud and misrepresentation, which carries a lifetime ban,” Owen told Politico.

As it stands, anyone admitting past use of an illegal substance (which includes pot) will be rejected for entry to the United States. Because it’s customary for border patrol agents to ask about employment, Owen tells Politico that people in the marijuana industry won’t be allowed in.

“If you work for the industry, that is grounds for inadmissibility,” he said.

[Photo: Shutterstock]

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13 Comments
A
Amil January 20, 2019

we should open the borders between canada and the us.

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drussum January 16, 2019

There is a certain funny (sad) situation in which a Canadian who admits having used an illegal substance (pot) is not allowed into the US as a tourist, but US citizens (representative and politicians - even a President) can admit they have used an illegal substance without any legal repercussions and be citizens in good standing.

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skidooman January 14, 2019

That is textbook definition of extra-territorial application of US law. I don't smoke pot, I am not looking forward to pick up a joint, but the fact is that when you are in Canada you should be subject to Canadian laws, not US ones. And Canadian laws are clear: marijuana is legal, full stop. Now, if travelers try to import pot into the US, then they are violating US laws, and they should be sanctioned as such.

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Freebird September 21, 2018

Anyone catch the catch 22 here? "“If you lie about it, that’s fraud and misrepresentation, which carries a lifetime ban,” Owen told Politico." So, can't get in if being honest about it (if a smoker/ enjoyer of space cakes) and can't get in ever again if taking steps to hide the fact (and getting caught).

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ChuckIT September 20, 2018

If somebody in Canada uses mj, It is not "against the law" or "breaking the law." Asking about "past use" would be absurd. If someone is stoned while driving into the country, it is a different issue. Similarly, it is not illegal to drink beer in some countries before you are 21. It is not "illegal" in the US to do so. A German citizen cannot be arrested in the US for legally drinking beer in Germany. Similarly, a Canadian cannot be arrested in the US for having ingested mj in Canada in the past, unless they are under the influence when they arrive in the country. If the restriction really prohibits the entry into the country of anybody who has used MJ in the past, it would lead to some interesting enforcement. We could close the door on a number of actors, Presidents, and Business men and etc.