Canadian cannabis workers targeted by U.S. border guards for lifetime bans
- Thread starter gb123
- Start date
CalyxCrusher
Well-Known Member
Well that's fucked
VIANARCHRIS
Well-Known Member
Who'd want to go to there anyway? I think every American visitor should be asked if they have ever owned a handgun. Anyone with a permit should be banned from Canada for life. If Americans can ban Canadians for following OUR laws, we can do the same.
In addition to those who have used marijuana, Canadians who are involved with the cannabis economy have been labelled “inadmissible” because they are considered to be living off the profits of the drug trade. Once banned for life, they must seek legal waivers from an immigration lawyer — good for between one and five years — for the rest of their lives when they wish to cross the border.
A Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs press officer for the U.S. State Department told The Star via email that “admission requirements into the United States will not change due to Canada’s legalization of cannabis.”
Blaine, Wash.-based immigration lawyer Len Saunders said he hears from Canadians seeking waivers for inadmissibility because of cannabis at least once or twice a week — up from one or two cases per year 15 years ago.
Because: “How are you getting paid?” Saunders asked. “You’re getting paid by your Canadian company which is making money through marijuana.”
Read more:
Opinion | Without amnesty for pot convictions, legalization is a half-measure
System for enforcing legalized recreational marijuana remains hazy in British Columbia
Canada’s marijuana industry looks abroad for growth
You might be interested in
And it’s not just dispensary workers, cannabis growers and cannabis users who are being denied entry.
Jay Evans, CEO of agricultural equipment manufacturer Keirton Inc., was crossing into the U.S. in early April along with two employees, both engineers with Nexus passes and spotless criminal records.
They’d intended to meet with an American company to begin design work on a new machine that would streamline labour costs for cannabis producers.
“We had not yet designed the product, we had not yet marketed the product and we’d not yet sold the product,” Evans said in an interview.
During routine questioning, one of the three men mentioned their design would eventually be used in the Canadian cannabis industry, and they were immediately taken into the secondary inspection facility for further scrutiny.
Keirton is not involved with the production, distribution or sale of cannabis. But because its equipment is explicitly intended to be used by people who are, Evans and his colleagues were told after a six-hour interview they were “drug traffickers” according to U.S. federal law.
“The border guard supervisor told me he felt really bad, and felt it wasn’t right, and had a lot of empathy toward us,” Evans said.
Nevertheless, Evans and his coworkers now have lifetime bans on entering the United States, and must obtain waivers allowing them temporary entry into the country.
With cannabis legalization set to take effect in October, the industry could generate more than $7 billion in its first year, according to a recent report from Deloitte, with tens of thousands of Canadian jobs expected to be created as the cannabis market continues to grow.
“My prediction is, come Oct. 17, it’s going to be a tidal wave of cases,” Saunders said.
Neither Evans nor Saunders blame the border officers themselves — both men say those agents are just doing their job. Rather, they feel the issue stems from increasing paranoia in the U.S. Department of Justice about what Canadian cannabis legalization could mean for the United States.
The office of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not respond to interview requests. Sessions is known to be a staunch opponent of marijuana and told a U.S. Senate committee hearing in April 2016: “We need grown-ups in charge in Washington to say marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized, it ought not to be minimized, that it’s in fact a very real danger.”
The offices of attorneys general for the states of Washington, Maine and Vermont (the three border states that have legalized cannabis) refused to comment, directing the Star to the Department of Justice.
Sanho Tree, director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C., agrees with Evans’ and Saunders’ analysis. Tree said this “new wave of intensity” of border enforcement may be another symptom of increasingly “draconian” federal attitudes toward immigration and drugs under the current administration.
Tree said the border guards have the right to search travellers’ electronic devices, and download their content, but have also taken to searching their social media looking for clues as to who might be involved — even indirectly — in the drug trade.
And Saunders said he believes border guards spend time on Canadian cannabis companies’ websites, taking note of the individuals listed as staff members in case one of them tries to cross into the U.S.
“They’re putting ‘lookouts’ on them,” he said, referring to an electronic flag border officers use to alert the system to an individual who should be taken inside for questioning.
Scott Bernstein, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, said this issue may have been predictable given Canada’s lead role in cannabis legalization amongst G7 countries.
But Bernstein said he’s under the impression the issue of Canadian inadmissibility is currently on the back-burner for the federal government.
“It’s probably being overshadowed a bit by the contentious NAFTA negotiations,” he said. “This isn’t a great time for us to be pushing the envelope with border negotiations.”
Both Tree and Bernstein pointed out U.S. banking regulations appear to be another primary driver behind Canadians’ unwitting complicity in violations of U.S. federal law.
Because U.S. banks are regulated federally, American cannabis companies cannot obtain loans or use credit, since doing so would make a bank complicit in money-laundering.
Canadian venture capitalists have seized on this opening, offering investments from Canada where such transactions are legal. But when crossing over into the U.S., many are surprised to find they’re now considered to be living off the avails of crime in the eyes of U.S. federal law.
Saunders said the same goes for Canadian investors who own land in the United States that gets leased to American cannabis companies.
“People say to me, ‘What should I do?’” Saunders said. “And I say, ‘Either get out of the business or stop travelling to the U.S.’”
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale declined a request for interview, and a response from a spokesperson for his office did not address The Star’s questions.
B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth likewise declined a request for interview, but a spokesperson told The Star in an email that “concerns regarding border crossing have been brought to the attention of the U.S. consulate.”
Saunders said the only thing Canadians in the cannabis industry can do is refuse to answer questions that might incriminate them. Doing so may get them turned around at the border, he said, and their file will be marked with a “lookout,” alerting officers to the travellers’ unwillingness to co-operate.
But lying to a federal officer will earn a lifetime ban, as will admitting the truth. Instead, Saunders suggested staying quiet, and revoking the request to enter the U.S.
“The worst that can happen if you shut up is a simple denied entry,” he said.
Although in Saunders’ view, this problem is not going away.
“It’s going to happen even more, and especially now that they’re going after business travellers, it’s going to be the Wild West at the border,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy.”
A Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs press officer for the U.S. State Department told The Star via email that “admission requirements into the United States will not change due to Canada’s legalization of cannabis.”
Blaine, Wash.-based immigration lawyer Len Saunders said he hears from Canadians seeking waivers for inadmissibility because of cannabis at least once or twice a week — up from one or two cases per year 15 years ago.
Because: “How are you getting paid?” Saunders asked. “You’re getting paid by your Canadian company which is making money through marijuana.”
Read more:
Opinion | Without amnesty for pot convictions, legalization is a half-measure
System for enforcing legalized recreational marijuana remains hazy in British Columbia
Canada’s marijuana industry looks abroad for growth
You might be interested in
Doug Ford inserted himself into city’s plans for Etobicoke homeless shelter
Ford government is ending co-operation with Ottawa on resettlement of asylum-seekers
Ottawa reconsidering $420 million in funding for Ontario over its cancellation of cap and trade
And it’s not just dispensary workers, cannabis growers and cannabis users who are being denied entry.
Jay Evans, CEO of agricultural equipment manufacturer Keirton Inc., was crossing into the U.S. in early April along with two employees, both engineers with Nexus passes and spotless criminal records.
They’d intended to meet with an American company to begin design work on a new machine that would streamline labour costs for cannabis producers.
“We had not yet designed the product, we had not yet marketed the product and we’d not yet sold the product,” Evans said in an interview.
During routine questioning, one of the three men mentioned their design would eventually be used in the Canadian cannabis industry, and they were immediately taken into the secondary inspection facility for further scrutiny.
Keirton is not involved with the production, distribution or sale of cannabis. But because its equipment is explicitly intended to be used by people who are, Evans and his colleagues were told after a six-hour interview they were “drug traffickers” according to U.S. federal law.
“The border guard supervisor told me he felt really bad, and felt it wasn’t right, and had a lot of empathy toward us,” Evans said.
Nevertheless, Evans and his coworkers now have lifetime bans on entering the United States, and must obtain waivers allowing them temporary entry into the country.
With cannabis legalization set to take effect in October, the industry could generate more than $7 billion in its first year, according to a recent report from Deloitte, with tens of thousands of Canadian jobs expected to be created as the cannabis market continues to grow.
“My prediction is, come Oct. 17, it’s going to be a tidal wave of cases,” Saunders said.
Neither Evans nor Saunders blame the border officers themselves — both men say those agents are just doing their job. Rather, they feel the issue stems from increasing paranoia in the U.S. Department of Justice about what Canadian cannabis legalization could mean for the United States.
The office of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not respond to interview requests. Sessions is known to be a staunch opponent of marijuana and told a U.S. Senate committee hearing in April 2016: “We need grown-ups in charge in Washington to say marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized, it ought not to be minimized, that it’s in fact a very real danger.”
The offices of attorneys general for the states of Washington, Maine and Vermont (the three border states that have legalized cannabis) refused to comment, directing the Star to the Department of Justice.
Sanho Tree, director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C., agrees with Evans’ and Saunders’ analysis. Tree said this “new wave of intensity” of border enforcement may be another symptom of increasingly “draconian” federal attitudes toward immigration and drugs under the current administration.
Tree said the border guards have the right to search travellers’ electronic devices, and download their content, but have also taken to searching their social media looking for clues as to who might be involved — even indirectly — in the drug trade.
And Saunders said he believes border guards spend time on Canadian cannabis companies’ websites, taking note of the individuals listed as staff members in case one of them tries to cross into the U.S.
“They’re putting ‘lookouts’ on them,” he said, referring to an electronic flag border officers use to alert the system to an individual who should be taken inside for questioning.
Scott Bernstein, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, said this issue may have been predictable given Canada’s lead role in cannabis legalization amongst G7 countries.
But Bernstein said he’s under the impression the issue of Canadian inadmissibility is currently on the back-burner for the federal government.
“It’s probably being overshadowed a bit by the contentious NAFTA negotiations,” he said. “This isn’t a great time for us to be pushing the envelope with border negotiations.”
Both Tree and Bernstein pointed out U.S. banking regulations appear to be another primary driver behind Canadians’ unwitting complicity in violations of U.S. federal law.
Because U.S. banks are regulated federally, American cannabis companies cannot obtain loans or use credit, since doing so would make a bank complicit in money-laundering.
Canadian venture capitalists have seized on this opening, offering investments from Canada where such transactions are legal. But when crossing over into the U.S., many are surprised to find they’re now considered to be living off the avails of crime in the eyes of U.S. federal law.
Saunders said the same goes for Canadian investors who own land in the United States that gets leased to American cannabis companies.
“People say to me, ‘What should I do?’” Saunders said. “And I say, ‘Either get out of the business or stop travelling to the U.S.’”
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale declined a request for interview, and a response from a spokesperson for his office did not address The Star’s questions.
B.C.’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth likewise declined a request for interview, but a spokesperson told The Star in an email that “concerns regarding border crossing have been brought to the attention of the U.S. consulate.”
Saunders said the only thing Canadians in the cannabis industry can do is refuse to answer questions that might incriminate them. Doing so may get them turned around at the border, he said, and their file will be marked with a “lookout,” alerting officers to the travellers’ unwillingness to co-operate.
But lying to a federal officer will earn a lifetime ban, as will admitting the truth. Instead, Saunders suggested staying quiet, and revoking the request to enter the U.S.
“The worst that can happen if you shut up is a simple denied entry,” he said.
Although in Saunders’ view, this problem is not going away.
“It’s going to happen even more, and especially now that they’re going after business travellers, it’s going to be the Wild West at the border,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy.”
The Hippy
Well-Known Member
Fuck that country anyway....Fed-ex brings america to me......well at least the only part of that country I want anyway....just their stuff.
Gotta say though..I do find it pretty funny when any Canadian corp greed bag green rush weasel gets flagged. Wonder how they like being treated like we have been.
That country is just plain mostly dumb and stupid....both actually.
" Tree said the border guards have the right to search travellers’ electronic devices, and download their content "
That alone is enough to keep me here
Gotta say though..I do find it pretty funny when any Canadian corp greed bag green rush weasel gets flagged. Wonder how they like being treated like we have been.
That country is just plain mostly dumb and stupid....both actually.
" Tree said the border guards have the right to search travellers’ electronic devices, and download their content "
That alone is enough to keep me here
Hashishh
Well-Known Member
Sorry man, I get where you're coming from but you can legally own handguns in Canada through proper licensing...
I agree that it's absolute BS, but why would any Canadian want to venture to the states, especially with the way our economies are right now? Hardly anything is cheaper due to exchange rates. I can proudly say I haven't, and probably never will, set foot in the USA.
Of course I can totally understand visiting family, friends, etc. But is the whole "eye for an eye" thing really going to make matters better? Politics are a very delicate area and subject.
Once both of our incompetent leaders are out of the equation I'm confident in saying relations between Canada and the US will improve.
VIANARCHRIS
Well-Known Member
Sure, but the rules around them are so restrictive...apples and oranges imo.
I've never felt the urge to go to the States in my 55 years and I am happy to never spend a minute (or dollar) there ever, current politics aside.
it'll be a dust collector in 15 years
Shooting is fun Ipsc.......but if yer not a club guy ..it sits locked not to be used or moved out of the house.
My buddies father was collector. We went to shows every Sunday to buy and sell guns... as teens 430 and 5 am is FRIGGIN EARLY lol specially after you just got home two hours before...
Anyway..after he died we took everything back to the same shows and sold them all.
My friend kept a few pieces but they just don't get used anymore. They sit in a safe.
They wont ever be used again and will be sold off when he dies..
As for hunting....I go for a day every few years, Asking my Son if he'd like to go ?? I just cant see my kid shooting a deer, moose ... Not that its bad. I just wouldn't ask him if he'd like to. Never shown an interest in shooting the 22 or pelet gun for that matter...
Have fun man
The Hippy
Well-Known Member
Gonna be THE BEST laughs when the assholes who once jailed us get banned from the US. Oh I'm gonna love that!!!!!!
They saw the cash in the green rush and now will be accused of being cannabis involved. And then banned from the USA........OOH YA!!!!!!!
YES YES YES
I hope they get a big taste of what us cannabis culture folks have been getting since the 60's.
Turn around is fair play.
trudope needs to be first. after all he's a weed dealer and admitted smoker. And a groper of hotties
They saw the cash in the green rush and now will be accused of being cannabis involved. And then banned from the USA........OOH YA!!!!!!!
YES YES YES
I hope they get a big taste of what us cannabis culture folks have been getting since the 60's.
Turn around is fair play.
trudope needs to be first. after all he's a weed dealer and admitted smoker. And a groper of hotties
"Either stop travelling to the U.S. or get out of the business." Apparently now that includes investing too...
A high-profile Canadian businessman is sounding the alarm over investments in the American pot industry after he was banned from entering the country for life.
"I was truly shocked by what happened to me," Sam Znaimer told CTV News.
Znaimer is one of Canada's best-known venture capitalists, having built his reputation investing in technology companies. Several years ago he started putting his money into budding pot companies and now gives speeches to ganga-preneurs and sometimes advises cannabis startups on how to best meet regulatory requirements.
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
Complete coverage on CTV Vancouver
RELATED STORIES
Sam Znaimer speaks to CTV News on Jul 12, 2018.
Since news of Canada's pot bill passing made headlines around the world late last month, immigration lawyers have renewed their warnings that admitting to consuming marijuana could cause problems at the border, which is under federal jurisdiction. While marijuana is legal in several states, it remains an illicit and controlled substance federally.
But when Znaimer he tried to cross in May, questions about his investments, not his personal consumption, landed him a lifetime ban from Canada's neighbour to the south.
"In the course of four hours, [Homeland Security] never did ask [about consuming marijuana] and I believe that was because they want to send a message to Canadians that it has not only to do with your personal behaviour, but whether in any way you have invested in these companies," Znaimer said.
U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders says Znaimer's experience isn't unique and could become more common as more people put their money into pot.
In one case, an Edmonton businessman was banned from the U.S. simply for being a part-owner of a Colorado building that leases space to a dispensary, Saunders said, adding some sobering advice for those looking to get into the industry: "Either stop travelling to the U.S. or get out of the business."
When it comes to marijuana, the term "business" can have a very broad definition, potentially including mutual funds or other investment plans connected to cannabis.
"What amazes me is this doesn't only impact people like me who are professionally involved, but there are thousands or tens of thousands of Canadians who have invested in companies with actives in the cannabis industry in the U.S.," Znaimer said.
There's little recourse for those who find themselves in Znaimer's situation. Banned travellers can apply for a waiver which costs $600 plus legal fees and only lasts for one to five years if approved.
So far, Saunders says it doesn't appear that investing in Canadian cannabis companies will land you in trouble at the border.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Penny Daflos
A high-profile Canadian businessman is sounding the alarm over investments in the American pot industry after he was banned from entering the country for life.
"I was truly shocked by what happened to me," Sam Znaimer told CTV News.
Znaimer is one of Canada's best-known venture capitalists, having built his reputation investing in technology companies. Several years ago he started putting his money into budding pot companies and now gives speeches to ganga-preneurs and sometimes advises cannabis startups on how to best meet regulatory requirements.
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
Complete coverage on CTV Vancouver
RELATED STORIES
- First province-run cannabis store to be located in Kamloops
- New rules spell out details for want-to-be pot retailers in B.C.
- B.C. to use Shopify for online sale of recreational marijuana
- Different city, different rules: Where do B.C. municipalities stand on legal pot sales?
Sam Znaimer speaks to CTV News on Jul 12, 2018.
Since news of Canada's pot bill passing made headlines around the world late last month, immigration lawyers have renewed their warnings that admitting to consuming marijuana could cause problems at the border, which is under federal jurisdiction. While marijuana is legal in several states, it remains an illicit and controlled substance federally.
But when Znaimer he tried to cross in May, questions about his investments, not his personal consumption, landed him a lifetime ban from Canada's neighbour to the south.
"In the course of four hours, [Homeland Security] never did ask [about consuming marijuana] and I believe that was because they want to send a message to Canadians that it has not only to do with your personal behaviour, but whether in any way you have invested in these companies," Znaimer said.
U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders says Znaimer's experience isn't unique and could become more common as more people put their money into pot.
In one case, an Edmonton businessman was banned from the U.S. simply for being a part-owner of a Colorado building that leases space to a dispensary, Saunders said, adding some sobering advice for those looking to get into the industry: "Either stop travelling to the U.S. or get out of the business."
When it comes to marijuana, the term "business" can have a very broad definition, potentially including mutual funds or other investment plans connected to cannabis.
"What amazes me is this doesn't only impact people like me who are professionally involved, but there are thousands or tens of thousands of Canadians who have invested in companies with actives in the cannabis industry in the U.S.," Znaimer said.
There's little recourse for those who find themselves in Znaimer's situation. Banned travellers can apply for a waiver which costs $600 plus legal fees and only lasts for one to five years if approved.
So far, Saunders says it doesn't appear that investing in Canadian cannabis companies will land you in trouble at the border.
With files from CTV Vancouver's Penny Daflos
CalyxCrusher
Well-Known Member
Now we know why most of the investment money came from accounts in the Cayman islands.
GroErr
Well-Known Member
Fuck'm, Canadians should push on a boycott campaign to avoid all unnecessary travel to the US. See how they like losing billions in Canadian tourism revenue. Strangely enough, since orange PedoPotus became President, Canadian travel has increased, so there's definitely opportunity for a boycott. I don't understand the increase, besides avoiding travel whenever possible myself, everyone I know has done the same thing. When my siblings were up for a funeral recently I told them both that we won't be seeing them for the next 3 years or so unless they come up here, both live in the US.
C'mon @The Hippy, get that BOYCOTT message out! lol
C'mon @The Hippy, get that BOYCOTT message out! lol
The Hippy
Well-Known Member
Nobody listens to me....lol