Medical marijuana users in northwestern Ontario who plan a trip to the United States are getting some advice from U.S. customs and Border Protection. American officials are telling southbound travellers to leave their medicinal marijuana at home.
Although medical marijuana is legal in Canada and many U.S. states, the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under American federal law. Consequently, crossing the border with a valid medical marijuana prescription is prohibited and could lead to a fine, apprehension, or both.
In an interview with tbnewswatch.com, Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Christopher Misson said he was unable to confirm whether anyone with medical marijuana has been stopped and penalized at a border crossing between northwestern Ontario and Minnesota.
In general terms, however, he said, "I don't think it's a big issue. The big thing is we are trying to get ahead of it and tell people tell people that 'Hey, just because it's getting to be more legalized...and people can get medical marijuana...it's still prohibited federally by law and if we come across it we are going to have to follow through with what our legal guidance is.' "
Mission said that if any amount of marijuana is found in the possession of a traveller, the minimum response will be an administrative penalty.
