Travel issues for Canadian working in Cannabis industry

Cannabis has been legalized in Canada since 2018 for both medical and recreational purposes. As a result, Canada’s cannabis industry has expanded significantly, creating new job opportunities for Canadians. Individuals working in the cannabis industry, on the other hand, may face unique challenges when visiting the United States.

Marijuana remains illegal under US federal law, and individuals working in the cannabis industry may face additional scrutiny or even be denied entry when crossing the border or arriving at a U.S. post of entry. However, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently issued guidance on the admissibility of Canadian citizens working in Canada’s cannabis industry.

According to the CBP, Canadian citizens who work in the cannabis industry in Canada are generally admissible to the US, as long as they are not entering the US for cannabis-related reasons. This means they can visit the US for tourism, business, or other legitimate reasons as long as the purpose of travel is not related to cannabis.

It is important to note that the CBP’s advice is only applicable to Canadian citizens. Individuals from other countries who work in Canada’s cannabis industry may face additional challenges when traveling to the United States.

Furthermore, even Canadians working in the cannabis industry may face extra scrutiny at the border. CBP officers have the authority to inquire about an individual’s employment and may refuse entry if they suspect the individual’s travel is related to the cannabis industry.

To minimize the risk of being denied entry, Canadian citizens who work in the cannabis industry should be prepared to answer questions about their employment and should avoid carrying any cannabis-related materials or products with them when traveling to the US.

To summarize, Canadian citizens who work in the cannabis industry in Canada are generally eligible to enter the US, as long as they are not coming for cannabis-related reasons. Individuals should be aware of the possibility of additional border scrutiny and should be prepared to answer questions about their employment. When traveling internationally, it is critical to follow all applicable laws and regulations.