WASHINGTON -- Canadians who take part in the legal cannabis industry find themselves facing deep potholes on the road to entering the United States -- and immigration lawyers who specialize in border issues say the federal government needs to help them navigate a way through.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency sent tremors through the country's burgeoning cannabis sector last week with word that legalization in Canada won't change the fact that American laws treat marijuana as a banned substance, and industry insiders as drug traffickers.
Despite the fact that some jurisdictions in North America permit the use of medical and recreational marijuana, U.S. federal law continues to prohibit its sale, possession, production and distribution, an agency spokesperson said in a statement.
"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 statement said.
Top photo by Mat Hayward
