A: We want all travelers to be aware of Canadian and U.S. laws so they are prepared to comply with requirements on both sides of the border.

The United States and Canada have a long history of working together to ensure security, while expediting legitimate and vital cross-border trade and travel for the 400,000 people and $1.7 billion worth of goods and services that cross our border every day.

CBP officers are trained to enforce U.S. laws and regulations fairly and uniformly, and strive to make the United States a welcoming nation for trade and travel.

A: It is up to the people of each nation to decide which drug policies are most appropriate for their country, within the framework of their domestic law and international law.

Although cannabis is decriminalized in several U.S. states, cannabis possession remains against federal law. U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces federal law at the border.

Legalization of cannabis in Canada will not have any impact on cannabis’s legality in the United States.  Thus, it is important that Canadians are aware of possible actions they may face if they seek entry to the United States if they possess or have residue of cannabis.

A: Our procedures will remain the same.  CBP treats all international travelers with integrity, respect, and professionalism while maintaining the highest standards of security. CBP officers are trained to enforce U.S. laws and regulations fairly and uniformly, and strive to make the United States a welcoming nation for trade and travel. CBP officers conduct inspections of arriving travelers and their property to determine admissibility to the United States.

A: A Canadian citizen working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal marijuana industry in Canada, coming to the United States for reasons unrelated to the marijuana industry will generally be admissible to the United States. However, if a traveler is found to be coming to the United States for reasons related to the marijuana industry, they may be deemed inadmissible.

A: Legalization of cannabis in Canada will not have any impact on cannabis’s legality in the United States.  Thus, it is important that travelers are aware of possible actions they may face upon attempted entrance into the United States if they possess or have residue of cannabis.

A: We continue to work closely with our Canadian allies on a huge array of issues including security, environmental protection, and robust commerce across the longest border in the world. We have discussed legalization of cannabis at various levels. We want all travelers to be aware of Canadian and U.S. laws so they are prepared to comply with requirements on both sides of the border.

A:  If you plan to use marijuana in the United States then you will be found ineligible for a visa based on intending to engage in unlawful activity in the United States.  It does not matter if you use doctor-prescribed marijuana.   If you smoke cannabis in Canada, you may also be found ineligible under 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) if a physician determines that you have a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior – for example, impaired driving – or are a drug abuser or addict.

A: If you are working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal cannabis industry in Canada, planning to travel to the United States for reasons unrelated to the cannabis industry, this will generally not make you ineligible for a visa.  However, if you are found to be coming to the United States for reasons related to the cannabis industry, you may be deemed inadmissible to the United States and your visa application may be denied.

A: No.  Cannabis remains illegal under U.S. law.  If you intend to engage in unlawful activity in the United States you will be found ineligible for a visa.

A: Any visa applicant who lies to a consular officer in applying for a visa or to an immigration officer in applying for admission to the United States may be ineligible for a visa under section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the INA.  You should always answer a U.S. officer’s questions truthfully.

A: The U.S. visa application forms, DS-160 for nonimmigrants and DS-260 for immigrants, ask if you have ever been a drug user or addict.  The consular officer may also ask you about drug use during your visa application interview.