Canadians (and other foreigners): dont ever tell a United States border patrol agent or immigration and customs official youve smoked pot. Not even one hit years ago. Or youll be banned from the U.S. Seriously.
VICE tells us the story of actual Canadian Alan Ranta, who was crossing into legal weed Washington state. Ranta says the border thug guard didnt like the look of his colorful camping gear, and sent Ranta off handcuffed into an interrogation room. Another guard started asking about his weed habits.
I thought, Trudeau has said its going to be legal in a year, and the U.S. state Im going to has had it legal for three years. It didnt seem like that big of a deal to say Id smoked, said Ranta.
It is a big deal.
That statement was an admission to violating Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, which renders a foreigner ineligible to enter the U.S. without a visa and a waiver that costs about $600 and takes weeks to obtain. Under U.S. immigration law, under the right circumstances an admission of guilt is seen as the same as an actual criminal court conviction.
The other factor at work here is that while Washington state, and other parts of the U.S., have legalized weed, the Federal government refuses to recognize a states right to make that decision, and thus still regards marijuana as a controlled substance. So at the border it is illegal while a few hundred yards inside at the nearest store it is legally sold.
While foreigners cannot be compelled to answer questions at the border, their failure to do so is itself grounds for refusing them entry into the U.S. Gotcha.
But we Americans do sleep more soundly knowing we have such a*sholes standing on that wall to protect us.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Canadians Are Being Banned From The U.S. For Admitting They’ve Smoked Weed
Author: Peter Van Buren
Contact: Latest
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Latest
