Canadian pot smokers, workers, investors banned from US
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In the "What the fuck...?" department today:
Canadians who work in the marijuana industry — and those who invest in the booming pot sector — risk a lifetime ban on travel to the U.S., according to a senior official overseeing U.S border operations.
As Canada prepares to become the world’s only major industrialized nation to legalize retail marijuana sales starting Oct. 17, the Canadian cannabis sector is projected to generate billions of dollars of revenue in coming years and Canadians have flocked to take jobs and buy stocks in the burgeoning industry. But the move has potential to disrupt border crossings between the U.S. and Canada for travelers who run afoul of American drug laws, even if their activities are legal in Canada.
“Our officers are not going to be asking everyone whether they have used marijuana, but if other questions lead there — or if there is a smell coming from the car, they might ask,” Owen said. Likewise, marijuana residue, which can linger for weeks inside a car, could be detected by CBP inspection dogs and lead to further questioning, he noted. If asked about past drug use, travelers should not lie, he said. “If you lie about it, that’s fraud and misrepresentation, which carries a lifetime ban,” Owen said.
If a traveler admits to past use of any illegal drugs, including marijuana, the traveler will be found to be inadmissible into the United States. CBP typically will allow them the opportunity to “voluntary withdraw” from the border — or face an “expedited removal.” Whether or not the traveler enters the U.S., a record will be kept by CBP and that traveler will not be allowed to return to the U.S. The traveler will have the opportunity to apply for a waiver from a lifetime ban, which costs U.S. $585 and requires several months to process.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/13/canada-weed-pot-border-783260
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: New & Improved
I wonder if Trump properties
I wonder if Trump properties will refuse the pot investor's money?
Donald loves cash transactions.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
I think maybe these guys were
I think maybe these guys were smoking weed when they thought of this trick...tried to drive over a 14 ft tall border fence..... completely forgot about the undercarriage clearance issue, though
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
Keep the Canadians out.
Keep the Canadians out.
A friend of mine helped found a local cannabis oil business a number of years ago. Then a big Canadian company came in and bought them up lock, stock, and barrel. The Canadians kept my friend and his colleagues on as employees and they were given good salaries, fancy titles, and other benefits. However, last summer, the Canadians decided to bring in all these Wall Street types to run the Oregon company and they cleaned house, letting my friend and the other founders go with the skimpiest of severance benefits. We ended up having to threaten to sue them to get some of the stock options and other things they were promised.
America first bitches.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
Probably in retaliation for
Probably in retaliation for Canada keeping all those who have had a DWI conviction, even if it was more than 20 years past, out of their country.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: New & Improved
I thought it was a 10 year
I thought it was a 10 year ban?
But, yea, I get your point. I think it's more of a way to punish the pot-smokers and legal pot-growers since they can't do it here (silly States' Rights).
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
If it is a single DWI
If it is a single DWI conviction that happened over 10 years ago, the Canadian border officers "CAN" decide to let you in but often do not. It is up the discretion of the officer. To assure being allowed into Canada, one has to got through a rather costly and complicated process to be deemed safe enough to enter their country. It wasn't that long ago that Bob Weir was denied entry due to a long ago DWI conviction and him and the rest of Furthur had to wait a few days at the border while lots of lawyers worked on that process which cost a substantial amount of money for both the lawyers and the expedited government paperwork.
As for my point, I was just being silly. Both "rules" make no sense to me.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Get oot and stay oot!
Get oot and stay oot!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alias
Canada has been denying entry
Canada has been denying entry for anyone with a pot conviction for years. I know a couple people who were noped out of prepaid ski vacations due to 25 year old possession convictions. Another guy not allowed to leave the cruise ship (my mom is a tour group leader). Several friends turned away at the border. Fuck Canada.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Fingers on the
Lemme get this straight (I'm
Lemme get this straight (I'm in Canada, so bear with me - we don't have Betsy running our Edumacations system here);
A conviction in a court of law for drunk driving in the US means unable to enter Canada (unless you actually do the paperwork before you get to the border) = bad.
A Canadian admitting at the US border that at some point - without a conviction, they "may have" smoked pot at any point in the past, or invested in a legally traded company and is unable to cross the border = ?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Would something like this
Would something like this affect Neil Young if he toured overseas and tried to re-enter USA?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Fingers on the
No Alan, most entertainers
No Alan, most entertainers/athletes get the waiver and are good. Comes up often for potential trades in sports - player has to take care of that stuff before signing to a team up here.
You meant the Neil Young that was born in Canada, right?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
John Lennon has some serious
John Lennon had some serious issues getting into the States because of an old drug bust in England. But I think old J. Edgar Hoover might have been behind much of it because he thought dude was a subversive.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GravyTrain
Eh?
Eh?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell
What is crossing from Canada
What is crossing from Canada to Vermont where it is legal?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
[Verse 1]
[Verse 1]
Well now we're respected in society
We don't worry about the things that we used to be
We're talking heroin with the president
Well it's a problem, sir, but it can't be bent
Uh yes!
Well now you're a pillar of society
You don't worry about the things that you used to be
You're a rag-trade girl, you're the queen of porn
You're the easiest lay on the White House lawn
Get out of my life, don't come back
Get out of my life, don't come back
[Chorus]
She's so respectable
She's so respectable
She's so delectable
She's so respectable
Get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back
Get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back
What I say!
She's so respectable
She's so respectable
She's so respectable
She's so respectable
Get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back
Oh get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back
She's so respectable
She's so respectable
She's so delectable
She's so respectable
Get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back...woo!
[Outro]
Get out of life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back
Get out of my life
Don't take my wife
Don't come back, come back, hey
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Denny
In 2004 i took the fast ferry
In 2004 i took the fast ferry from Rochester to Toronto for a lo s lobo s show. Almost missed the show because of a 12 yr old misdemeanor drug bust. I got pulled out and searched, glad I left the cookies home. I've been up a couple of times since without problem, once to buy seeds, another time with the grands. I think in 2004 Bush had pissed off the Canadians.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bucky Badger
I think we accused Canada of
I think we accused Canada of letting some of the 9/11 hijackers in, which created/escalated some border tensions too.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell
^^ I wish that ferry was
^^ I wish that ferry was still operating, best way to get to Toronto from Rochester.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
A little known reason for
A little known reason for denying foreign nationals entry into Canada is that they don't have enough money in the bank to cover their projected expenses while visiting. If they flag you for this you have the choice of either giving them access to your banking records or turning around and not trying to enter. If you say no to them having access to your records, you are permanently banned from entering Canada. You can appeal but, again, that takes lots of money and legal dealings.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bucky Badger
I haven’t accepted any jobs
I haven’t accepted any jobs in Canada because of my DWI from 1999. I’m not sure if they’ll let me in so I don’t go.
Im going to work in Dubai next month though! Should I leave my Ambien at home?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Fingers on the
Sure this isn't what you guys
Sure this isn't what you guys remember about Canadians and 9/11?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/09/08/gander-newfoundlan...
Tony (great pic on the Anti-Flag thread you posted yesterday) - you don't really think that I as a Canadian don't get asked whenever I cross into the States how much money I have on me - and a ballpark figure on what I have access to if needed?? Usually on what I assume is some kind of attempted humor at free health care here along the lines of "You guys have access to few thousand dollars in case somebody breaks an arm at Cedar Point??" Like we Canadians all don't buy travel insurance when we hit the States... I know you guys have some statue thing around NYC with the plaque about "give us your poor" and whatnot - but it's been my experience your border guards want to see a few hundred per person per day to end that line of questioning. And I'm a middle aged white guy with a family - no idea what it's like for others.
Every time I hit a large crossing (bridge at Buffalo, bridge/tunnel at Detroit) I get asked how much USD I've got. If it's a small crossing like the ferry to Michigan (2 guards tops) then no, they really only ask to pop the trunk and give it a cursory glance for booze/drugs/guns/humans after they scan our passports. Can't imagine I've ever flown into the US without Customs at the airport asking how much I've/we've got on us.
And oh yeah - step into the 90's and lose the penny. Bad enough dealing with your damn $1 bills...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Denny
My brother in law got in with
My brother in law got in with a dwi, but it was back in the 70's and he got in. One dude on the ferry didn't get into canada and rode back with us the next da by with cuffs on and 2 cops on either side. The ferry was cool, but no one used it
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
Tony (great pic on the Anti
First of all, thank you for the compliment on the photo. It was one of those moments that I knew as I clicked it would be a keeper.
Of course they ask how much money you have on you. I was always under the impression that was more to see if you were bringing too much money across the boarder though. Regardless of how much money you have on you, or have access to via bank cards/credit cards Canada actually requires that you have travel health insurance or proof that your regular health insurance covers out of country expenses. Don't want us Americans to use your free health care now do you? lol
Being a middle aged white guy with a family helps on the money issue for sure. I know quite a few almost-off-grid peeps in Vermont that have to fill out paperwork each time they cross into Canada allowing the board officers to check balances of their bank accounts and credit cards. If you get asked to do that and you refuse, you are permanently banned from entering the country. I'm sure that's along the lines if you look hippy-ish, like you don't have a full time job, Canada doesn't want you coming to their country and working off the books, etc.
Every country has their own set of guidelines and I'm fine with that. Being aware and having the right paperwork handy usually handles the situation quickly.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
https://www.rottentomatoes
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/canadian_bacon/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Fingers on the
I didn't know that about the
I didn't know that about the travel health insurance coming here, Tony - but yeah, that makes total sense. When our kids were born, the first official government documentation we received were their OHIP cards (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) that covers their medical bills. Birth certificates came a few months later, but it's that health card that is the birth-right.
When crossing by plane, I have always had to declare how much money I have on me/with me - but if we're driving up to the border, that $10,000 or more question has never come up. I'm sure it's more of an "on a case by case" situation. Certainly in the pre-9/11, crossing for GD shows in cars with GD stickers days, it was always if we had enough money to support ourselves. It was a different world back then. Certainly didn't need a passport - drivers license or birth certificate was good enough.
We used to have a place just outside Waterbury, VT - but gave that up when the kids came (I mean really, there's not much around there for kids to do...). I never crossed between Quebec and VT so I can't really comment on what it's like there - but I've never heard of or seen the bank account check stuff. I might do a little snooping on the Customs site - can't imagine I'd be too happy giving my banking info to a border guard. I was lucky enough to retire in my mid-30's so I have had to answer a couple times what I do for a living - but never with the wife and kids. With my idiot friends? Often, if not always. Guess it all depends on the picture you paint rolling up to the border.
Good job on the international dialogue.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
can't imagine I'd be too
As you said, it's a case by case basis and not usually asked for. If potential red flags go up after the preliminary questioning, they escalate the questioning. The only reason I know about that is that 2 of my friends had it happen to them. The first was going up for a family wedding and was driving a pos car. He provided the info and was after someone deposited some money in his account was let through. The other was a extremely high net worth individual who dressed way down. He provided the name and number to his banks branch manager and was on his way within 30 mins.
The picture you paint is important, for sure. My quickest entry into Canada was at the Highgate Springs/ St. Armand crossing mid day. When asked the reason for my visit, I answered, "To see Bruce Springsteen in Montreal." The border officer said he was jealous and sent us on our way. lol
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: DaBreeze
As a Canadian who looks like
As a Canadian who looks like he smokes pot and might be a 'subversive', I crossed 3 times in the last 2 months from Vancouver BC to Seattle. Breezed through going to the Gorge in a van in July, got asked a few questions - as did everyone - when I took the Boltbus (glorified Greyhound) the next 2 times. Stuff like "what do you do for a living?"; "have you ever been arrested?" and (weird one) "have you ever changed your name?". They definitely spent a good few minutes looking up stuff on their computer, but I must be all good cuz I always get through. Been asked in the past about amount of money I'm carrying, but never pulled aside for secondary screening. The key is having your story straight, not stammering at questions, and, of course, not appearing nervous. I've never been asked if I smoke pot or do drugs (I do, but I'm prepared to lie in an instant). They always scan passports for records, warrants, etc.
They can look up your credit card transactions, so using it at the head shop/dispensary is a no-no. Also, crossing multiple times at different borders that are a considerable distance from your place of residence will raise red flags (ie. Vancouver-Seattle, then, say, Calgary-Spokane a few weeks later).
Coming back into Canada, as a citizen, is usually a breeze - but, again, it comes down to having your story straight. I always ditch any weed or vapes procured in WA or OR just to be safe. Once you're tagged, both countries have access to that info. Even when it becomes legal next month in Canada, I would still NEVER admit to consuming cannabis to any border official anywhere.
Oh, yeah - good to clean out your phone before you cross - like any questionable or political emails, texts, voicemails, etc., as well as your browsing history. I always uninstall Facebook and Messenger apps as well. They seem to only check phones during secondary inspections, but you never know.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 2 Room Shack
that's good and wise most..
that's good and wise most..
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
Think I'm gonna stay home.
Think I'm gonna stay home.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
So I graduated from McGill
So I graduated from McGill University in Montréal, and crossed the USA - Canada border many times. USA citizen.
Back then it was fairly simple. The focus was upon either "customs" (your stuff) or "immigration" (your papers). That varied every few hours.
So if one of the passengers had maybe, an expired student visa, you would distract the Canadian border guards with a "Customs" issue -- say an extra bottle of Whiskey.
Then you would pay the duty on that, or leave it there at the border, and go on your way.
There was other stuff that happened, but I forgot what.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
They (border guards) tend to
They (border guards) tend to not bother you much if you take a plane. The trains are pretty relaxed also. Last time I flew into Canada from USA, I declared my Smoked Fish on the customs declaration form, so the agent questioned me.
I showed him the stuff, which was maybe a quarter-pound of Steelhead smoked over Cherry. The guy just scoffed and let me through.
Another time I had a suitcase full of frozen Venison from Jerseyland, flying into Montrèality. The dude searched my stuff and declared "There might be a Quarantine on Jerseyland Venison..."
So I gave the fellow some Venison Chops, and it was all good.