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BLAINE, WASH. –
According to immigration lawyers, Canadians are questioned about their involvement in the cannabis industry.
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Those who admit to having used marijuana or have invested in lawful marijuana companies in the state of Washington may be barred from entering the United States for life.
Immigration lawyer, Len Saunders, whose office is located a few blocks from the Canada-US border, said his company had recently tripled with calls from Canadian citizens who needed more information. Legal aid to fight a ban for life.
"It's a lifetime ban if you admit to a federal customs officer that you've been using marijuana and that you're not a US citizen," Saunders said.
"All that is needed, that is (admit) to use once, is all that is needed, and no matter how long it has happened." "
Saunders explains that "due to US federal drug laws, customs and border protection officers view marijuana at the border as legally, in the same way that they would react to cocaine and to heroin.
"Even though marijuana is legal on both sides of the border, under federal immigration laws, marijuana is a controlled substance and agents do their jobs if they refuse entry to it." a Canadian will attract their attention if they use it or buy it, "Saunders said.
Border officers can – and have also banned Canadians who invest in legal cannabis-related businesses in the United States.
Vancouver, BC Investor Sam Znaimer received a lifetime ban in May after being intercepted at the border and answering questions from customs and border protection officials regarding his investments in cannabis-related actions.
"To my surprise and my horror, it was said that I was considered inadmissible to the United States because I was aiding and abetting the illegal drug trade," said Znaimer It's a huge regulatory scope. "
Saunders says Canadians who are banned at the border can apply for a temporary waiver, but it costs US $ 585 and treatment can take up to six months.
Some believe that bans will inevitably create a chilling effect on cross-border trade.
"I think a lot of people consider cannabis to be an excellent investment," said the owner of a Canadian company, Janine Karlsen. "So, they could just choose to say," You know what? It gets a little ridiculous, and we do not need to bring our stuff to the United States. "
Saunders accepts, citing the 7,000 Canadian season ticket holders who travel to Seattle for Seahawks games every Sunday. "I think fewer Canadians will fall for games," he said. "Games for sailors, Seahawks, maybe even hockey games when there is a hockey team in Seattle, and even for going shopping, going to malls or going to Nordstrom. "
The Blaine business owner, Mike Hill, who has just opened a flagship Starbucks, next to his Chevron station, is attracting Canadians to save on all sorts of things, from # 39; gasoline at the grocery store. "Currently, 90% of my clients come from Canada," he said.
"It's difficult because (marijuana) is a legal product on both sides, but you simply need to know, at the federal level, at the border, that the law will be enforced because it's the job of the agent, "he said. "I do not see fewer Canadians coming, I'm not sure how many people that affects, but the business here for now is good."
Saunders says the advice he gives Canadians who do not care to answer questions at the border is: silence is golden.
"Your best option as a foreigner coming to this country, if you feel uncomfortable answering this question is to say nothing," Saunders said.
"If you do not answer this question, if you do not cooperate, the worst that can happen is a simple refused entry that day, so you can try another border another time."
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