Source: https://wt.ca/smoked-out-crossing-u-s-ports-of-entry-in-the-era-of-legalized-recreational-cannabis-in-canada/
Timestamp: 2020-04-04 21:46:18
Document Index: 372567150

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 812', '§212', '§212', '§1182', '§212', '§1182', '§212', '§1182', '§212', '§212', '§952', '§212', '§212']

Smoked Out: Crossing U.S. Ports of Entry in the Era of Legalized Recreational Cannabis in Canada - Whitelaw Twining
3 20 2020
When Canada legalized recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, our neighbours to the south took notice. Although medical and recreational cannabis is legal in 29 states, American ports of entry are under federal jurisdiction, and cannabis remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the U.S. as per federal law 21 US Code § 812 (the “USC”). Applying the Immigration and Nationality Act (the “INA”), located within Title 8 (Aliens and Nationality) of the USC, Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officers at U.S. ports of entry continue to process travelers in accordance with U.S. federal law, including law pertaining to the possession of a controlled substance such as marijuana. Those who cross through a U.S. port of entry while in violation of the INA risk being turned away at the border, being banned from entering the U.S. in the future, having their goods seized, being fined and/or being apprehended by CBP. Given the potential severity of the consequences in crossing the border with cannabis, it is important for Canadians to respect the U.S. laws and understand the various grounds that a CBP officer can invoke to deny entry.
Persons who cross from Canada into a U.S. port of entry are required to answer all questions posed by CBP officers truthfully. The burden is on the party seeking to enter into the U.S. to demonstrate his or her eligibility to the CBP officer. Failure to satisfy this burden to the CBP officer at the time of inspection renders the alien inadmissible[1]. Applicants who do not answer truthfully or misrepresent their past or present cannabis use risk a lifetime ban on entry to the U.S.
Admitting to cannabis use and/or possession in Canada prior to the date of legalization could result in finding of inadmissibility by virtue of the fact that use and possession of cannabis would constitute criminal offences in Canada at the time the event occurred[2]. If the applicant used or possessed cannabis for medical purposes only, in accordance with the laws in Canada at the time, a CBP officer may grant entry. Applicants that answer “yes” to use or possession prior to legalization, even with a prescription, should be aware that they could be subject to further questioning.
Persons who were convicted of marijuana-related offences in Canada prior to October 17, 2018 may be found inadmissible for entry into the U.S.[3]. Specifically, a foreign national who is in violation of any law or regulation of a state, the U.S. or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance, including marijuana, is subject to being found inadmissible[4].
The safety of U.S. citizens is a consideration for admission into the U.S. and an applicant may be found inadmissible for use and/or possession if deemed a drug abuser or addict[5]. Similarly, a person who has a physical or mental disorder that poses a threat to the property, safety or welfare of others may be found inadmissible[6]. Cannabis use could be considered a disorder, provided that it is combined with dangerous behavior. However, before a CBP officer has authority to make any of these findings, the U.S. Public Health Service must first make a determination.
(c) that the defendant knowingly and willfully imported the marijuana into the U.S[7].
As cannabis remains a controlled substance in the U.S., a person seeking to engage in cross border cannabis business may be denied entry into the U.S. if the CBP deem that person to be trafficker of a controlled substance or someone who is a “knowing aider, abettor, assistor, conspirator or colluder with others in the illicit trafficking.”[8] It is important to note that a person turned away for these reasons could also be permanently banned from entry[9]. Therefore, those in the cannabis industry should exercise caution when attempting to solicit business in the U.S. cannabis market.
A Canadian citizen working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal marijuana industry in Canada, coming to the U.S. for reasons unrelated to the marijuana industry will generally be admissible to the U.S. However, if a traveler is found to be coming to the U.S. for reason related to the marijuana industry, they may be deemed inadmissible[10].
The content in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Independent legal advice should be sought about your specific circumstance.
[1] INA §212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I).
[2] INA §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) and 8 USC §1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II).
[3] INA §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) and 8 USC §1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II).
[4] INA §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) and 8 USC §1182(a)(2)(A)(i)(II).
[5] INA §212(a)(1)(A)(iv).
[6] INA §212(a)(1)(A)(iii).
[7] 21 USC §952.
[8] INA §212(a)(2)(C)(i).
[9] INA §212(a)(2)(C)(i).
[10] U.S. Customs and Border Protection, “CBP Statement on Canada’s Legalization of Marijuana and Crossing the Border” (Release Date: September 21, 2018), available online: