Many are thrilled that recreational marijuana is now allowed in Canada but some are showing their concern now over traveling.
The legislation has prompted concerns that United States border guards will block Canadians who work in the marijuana industry from traveling to the U.S., even if the states allow marijuana.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are able to permanently bar visitors if an agent decides they’ve participated in illegal drug trafficking . The problem is that according to CBP rules, anyone working in Canada’s legal marijuana industry fits that definition. U.S. citizens are exempt from the rule.
“It’s become a very significant issue,” said Scott Bettridge, a Miami-based immigration attorney at the national law firm of Cozen O’Connor.
“They’ve confirmed that if you work in the industry or are even an investor, you could potentially face a lifetime (ban) on entering the U.S. This isn’t a ban just on businesses travel – we’re talking vacation, family reasons, visiting your kid in school in the United States. It’s a lifetime ban. It’s very far-reaching,” he said.
