In recent news, we heard that Canada decided to open their borders to U.S. citizens/travellers, who can provide proof of vaccination. From August 9th, 2021, the borders will take a breather. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, this relaxation doesn’t extend to the idea of travelling with cannabis.
Cannabis has now been legal in New York state since April 2021 and all of Canada since October 2018. It remains illegal to bring cannabis across the border due to concerns created by smuggling cases between the two countries.
“We had an incursion that came via helicopter that landed in Grand Island, just north of Buffalo,” said
Mike Niezgoda with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2019, Border Patrol agents found four duffel bags carrying some 100 pounds of weed evaluated to have a street value of $100,000.”
Niezgoda added that cases with smaller quantities and unintended smuggling are a matter for travellers to keep in mind.
Given that Netflix already represents Canada via (part-fiction) Bad Blood, maybe we don’t need more Canadian narcotic narratives for now. Or we can wait it out until cannabis is in the clear, i.e. not considered a danger at all, and we can freely travel with a stash without fear of repercussions.
Canada to US Border Restrictions: What To Know
Here’s a reasonable info-dump on Canada to US border restrictions & laws relating to cannabis that’s worth noting:
1. “Although medical and recreational cannabis may be legal in some U.S. States and Canada, the sale, possession, production and distribution of cannabis or the facilitation of the aforementioned remain illegal under U.S. Federal Law. Consequently, crossing the border or arriving at a U.S. port of entry in violation of this law may result in denied admission, seizure, fines, and apprehension.”
The above is from the U.S Embassy and Consulates in Canada website. And it’s something you’d only come across if you went looking. Even an accidental bud or twig in your car or your wallet could get you in trouble. So, to be both aware and wary is a good idea.
CBD is NOT a loophole
2. Even if you are authorized to use medical marijuana in any form – including CBD – it is best to leave it behind. Let’s imagine a scenario in which you only realized that you’re carrying a cannabis product with you once the U.S. Customs and Border Protection booths come into view. The decision had to be last minute.
Some (the wiser) will choose the option to turn around. But some ports of entry do not allow taking U-turns. Throwing the weed out the window could lead you to face littering charges on top of the charges you face for possession. Some sources say that being honest or declaring it can bring things down to a fine or an arrest. But that may be the only way to handle the whole thing with some dignity.
3. At any distance from the border, anyone with the “intent to go foreign” is considered within the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs officials. You can waste time arguing that you’re not on federal land or not entering the inspection booth. But the nature and design of the jurisdiction permit them to search your vehicle.
This means that Customs officials are in a position that makes them both the judge and the jury. They have “almost complete discretion to admit or bar you from entry into the United States.” How they consider cannabis’ issues and what actions they deem reasonable may vary between officers.