Overall, the United States maintains a shaky, divided perspective on the drug marijuana. Since March 2018, thirty states have officially legalized the drug (while only 8 allow both recreational and medical use). Opinions drift back and forth as to whether or not cannabis is harmful or helpful, with organizations like the Mormon Church getting involved in the debate in Utah. In a recent event, the United States has taken a different turn on the subject, at least where our border laws are concerned. Now, Canadians working in the cannabis industry (the legal one) can cross the dotted line between our countries without any problems. However, there are more specifics that have been laid out. Let’s take a closer look at this new event in the ongoing marijuana debate.
Tricky Situation in the United States
On Tuesday, October 9, 2018, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agency (part of Homeland Security) made the announcement that Canadians who work in the legal marijuana trade will have full permission to enter our country. However, the CPB also added that the purpose of travel cannot be connected to this industry in any way.
This alleviation on border regulations has signaled a drastic change in our political policies, spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions (who has proclaimed to be against the legalization of marijuana). As Sessions points out, marijuana is still a controlled substance under our country’s laws, and men and women who work in the legal cannabis industry could face severe repercussions at the border with Canada. Meanwhile, Len Saunders (a lawyer from Blaine, Washington) states that marijuana policies are backward in the U.S., but border law should still remain steadfast for security purposes.
Canada’s Perspective
On the other side of the argument, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained that his country would reflect on a situation involving an American (holding cannabis) crossing the border. In that light, Saunders indirectly clashed with the prime minister and blatantly remarked that Trudeau (an avid pot user) would be detained at the U.S. border without question.
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