5 reasons for having international travel when cannabis becomes legal

The signs posted on the Canadian side of Ontario’s Thousand Islands crossing into the USA couldn’t become more clear: “No cannabis at border crossings.”

It’s a reminder that despite the fact that Canada enters a brave new world on Wednesday of cannabis legalization, these heady horizons not&nbsp do;necessarily extend beyond the country’s borders. So Canadians should be familiar with the guidelines when travelling once Ottawa allows&nbsp abroad;recreational marijuana use in the home.

Here’s what you ought to know:

1. Legalization

As of Oct. 17, adults in Canada can possess and share around 30 grams of legal cannabis. Are going to in a position to buy it from provincially or licensed retailers and mature to around four cannabis&nbsp federally;plants per residence for personal use.

2. Cannabis to go?

Leave your freshly procured weed in the home. The government warns that taking pot in virtually any form across Canada’s international borders will stay illegal and will bring about serious criminal penalties both in the home and abroad.

This may be the case in case you are going to places like The&nbsp even; Uruguay or netherlands which have decriminalized or legalized cannabis.

The restriction applies of the total amount or whether you&nbsp regardless;hold a document authorizing using cannabis for medical purposes. Only Health Canada has authority to issue grant or permits exemptions in limited circumstances.

3.  Going to the United States

Many U.S. states allow recreational or medical usage of marijuana. Nonetheless it changes nothing when crossing the border. That’s because cultivation, distribution and possession of the drug remain illegal beneath the federal Controlled Substances Act. 

The border falls under federal jurisdiction, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can deny Canadians along with other non-citizens entry on a genuine amount of marijuana-related grounds. Included in these are a pot conviction in america or abroad, an admission useful with out a conviction, or reason to trust you’re a drug addict or involved with trafficking. Or you will be turned away should you be believed by the officer will violate the Controlled Substances Act — for example by smoking pot in the U.S., in circumstances like&nbsp even;Colorado or Washington where it’s legal.

Once ruled inadmissible, a traveller may necessitate a particular waiver to enter the U.S. You need to avoid telltale visual clues or saying anything that might prompt questions about drug use. So, no flashing a lighter emblazoned with a marijuana leaf or joking about this Grateful Dead concert you went ago to in Portland years.

The authorities advises Canadians never to lie at the border. Unless you just like the questions, you have the proper to withdraw your request to enter the U.S.

4. Imagine if I work in the cannabis industry?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a Canadian citizen employed in the legal cannabis industry in Canada shall generally be allowed in to the U.S. for business or vacation unrelated to marijuana. But an individual seeking entry for reasons linked to the cannabis industry might away be turned.

Indeed, there were reports of Canadians being denied entry because of involvement in the U.S. cannabis industry.

Consultant Ivan Ross Vrana says he’s got not been asked about marijuana upon entering the U.S. about 50 % twelve times in the last year or two to meet up with people seeking to work in the Canadian cannabis industry. Nor has he heard about associates running into snags at the border.

“I believe the very best policy is usually to be straightforward,” said Vrana, vice-president of public affairs at Knowlton and Hill Strategies. “It’s their country, it’s their rules, right?”

5. Coming home to Canada

Bringing cannabis into Canada shall remain illegal, when&nbsp even;travelling from places which have loosened their laws on marijuana use, the national government warns.

Canada Border Services Agency officials say they will be asking visitors and returning Canadians if they have any cannabis with them. They hope the relevant question will certainly reduce the chance of unintentional  violations of the statutory law.

If you’re carrying pot once you enter Canada, it should be declared to the border agency. Otherwise, you might face prosecution and arrest, the agency says.

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