I am going to Canada – Can I bring my cannabis?

Can I cross Canadian Border with my Cannabis

Borders and Cannabis and Money

Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #41. Profit is its own reward.

If you bring your own cannabis to Canada. How does the Canadian government profit?

They don’t so they will punish you if you get caught.

It’s simple. It’s about the money. That is the only reason it is now legal.

Cannabis Legalization in Canada

On October 17, 2018, Canada made a significant policy shift by legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The Cannabis Act came into effect, allowing Canadians to possess and use cannabis for non-medical purposes. However, there are still some important considerations:

Possession and Use: Canadians can legally possess and consume weed, subject to restrictions on the amount and how it was purchased. This includes various forms of cannabis, such as dried flower, edibles, extracts, and topicals.

Transportation Across the Border: Despite legalization within Canada, it remains strictly prohibited to transport cannabis across the Canadian border. This applies whether you’re entering Canada from another country or leaving Canada for another destination.

The ban includes all forms of cannabis products, even if you’re authorized to use it for medical purposes.

It’s essential to understand that this law applies even if cannabis is legal in both the source and destination countries.

You’re Not Welcome Here in Canada

Inadmissibility Due to Cannabis Conviction: If you ever find a reason to go to Canada and there aren’t that many. If you have a prior arrest or cannabis conviction, there’s a chance you may be turned away at the Canadian border. A DUI? Just stay home.

If you really must go. Seeking legal advice from an immigration expert is advisable in such cases.

Cannabis Legalization in Michigan

Michigan, too, has embraced cannabis legalization. However, there are nuances to be aware of:

Legalization Status: As of now, it’s no longer against the law to own or grow marijuana in Michigan. However, retail stores didn’t open until 2021. Michigan citizens can legally cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants, compared to the limit of four in Ontario, Canada.
Crossing the Border: Despite both Michigan and Canada legalizing cannabis, it’s still illegal for those in Michigan to buy cannabis in Canada and cross the border with marijuana. This issue affects Americans living near the border who might be tempted to take advantage of Canada’s nationwide legalization.

Conclusion

While cannabis enthusiasts can enjoy legal weed in both Canada and Michigan, crossing the border with it remains a complex matter. Whether you’re traveling north or south, leave your cannabis behind to avoid legal complications. Remember, the laws differ between countries, and what’s permissible in one place might not be in another. Stay informed and enjoy responsibly!

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult legal professionals for specific guidance.

Learn more

Attorney Michael Komorn

State / Federal Legal Defense

With extensive experience in criminal legal defense since 1993 from pre-arrest, District, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme and the Federal court systems.

KOMORN LAW (248) 357-2550

Criminal Law FAQs – Drinking Alcohol or Smoking Marijuana and Driving

Michigan Criminal Laws FAQs Operating a Motor Vehicle Under The InfluenceWalking is cool... For fun and excercise. Not because you lost your license. Don't do the crime if you can't pay the price. But if you do get charged with a crime. Better Call Komorn to fight for...

Criminal Law FAQs – Probation Violations

Michigan Criminal Laws FAQs Theft CrimesAccording to Michigan State Law (Michigan Compiled Laws - MCL), a Probation Violation occurs when a person who has been sentenced to probation fails to comply with the terms and conditions of their probation order. These terms...

Adverse Possession in Michigan – Can Someone Claim Your Property?

From Canada.ca The official website of the Government of Canada

Drugs, alcohol and travel

It is illegal to take cannabis – including products containing cannabis, such as edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals, and all products containing CBD – across the Canadian border, whether you are entering or leaving the country:

No matter how much cannabis you have with you.
Even if you use cannabis for medical purposes in any form, including cannabidiol (CBD), unless authorized by Health Canada.
Even if you are travelling to or from a municipality, state or country where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized.

At your destination

If you travel to other countries, including the United States, with any amount of cannabis in your possession, you could:

be charged with a criminal offence (This applies to all countries, whether cannabis is legal there or not.)
be denied entry at your destination if you have previously used cannabis or any substance prohibited by local laws
be denied entry to other countries in the future

It is your responsibility to learn about the laws, including the legal status of cannabis use and possession, in your destination country.

If you are travelling for business related to the cannabis industry, contact the foreign government office in Canada of the country you plan to visit.

For more information, consult our Travel Advice and Advisories.

Returning to Canada

It is illegal to enter Canada with cannabis, unless you have a prescription for a medication containing cannabis authorized by Health Canada.

If you are entering Canada and have cannabis with you in any form, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency.

Not declaring cannabis in your possession at the Canadian border is a serious criminal offence. You could be arrested and prosecuted.

This information is taken directly from the Canadian Gov website section Drugs, alcohol and travel.

The Law

750.553 Occupancy of building without consent; violation; penalty; exception.

Sec. 553.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), an individual who occupies a building that is a single-family dwelling or 1 or both units in a building that is a 2-family dwelling and has not, at any time during that period of occupancy, occupied the property with the owner’s consent for an agreed-upon consideration is guilty of a crime as follows:

(a) For a first offense, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 per dwelling unit occupied or imprisonment for not more than 180 days, or both.

(b) For a second or subsequent offense, a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000.00 per dwelling unit occupied or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a guest or a family member of the owner of the dwelling or of a tenant.

Other Articles

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

What is corruption? U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments

What is corruption? U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments that could impact bribery cases in IllinoisThe high court is reviewing a law that’s popular among federal...

MSP Flint post commander rigging promotion exams says lawsuit

Ex-Flint Michigan State Police post commander sued by trooper following internal probeThe former commander of the Michigan State Police post in Flint is alleged to have...

Michigan Expungement Law Reaches the 3 Year Mark

April 2024 - Michigan Expungement Law 3 year AnniversaryThree years after the implementation of the “Clean Slate” law, advocates are hailing its significant impact on...

Livonia Fentanyl bust is Michigan’s largest ever

Livonia traffic stop leads to largest fentanyl bust in Michigan history, police say Authorities seize 90 pounds of fentanyl in Livonia MichiganAn undercover customer...

Paid surrogacy no longer a crime in Michigan

Paid surrogacy no longer a crime in Michigan after Whitmer signs MI Family Protection Act into lawFor over 30 years, individuals in Michigan who sought to build a...

Oregon governor signs a bill recriminalizing drug possession

Oregon governor signs a bill recriminalizing drug possession into lawOn April 1, 2024, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4002 into law, effectively...

Why Better Made is suing several Michigan marijuana companies

Better Made vs. Cannabis Companies: A Michigan Trademark DisputeSummary Better Made, is embroiled in a legal battle with over a dozen cannabis businesses in the state....

John Sinclair, the inspiration for Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash, dead at 82

John Sinclair, the poet whose imprisonment for marijuana inspired the start of Ann Arbor’s long-running annual Hash Bash in the 1970s, has died. He was 82.Sinclair's...

Is a Verbal Agreement Legal?

Is Oral Legal?Verbal agreements, also called oral contracts, can be legal and enforceable in Michigan, but with some limitations. Here's a breakdown: Generally...

Squatters and the Law in Michigan

Squatters and YouSquatting, in one definition is the act of occupying a property without legal permission, can be a headache for both property owners and squatters...