Pubdate: Sun, 30 May 2010
Source: Montana Standard (Butte, MT)
Copyright: 2010 Montana Standard
Contact:  http://www.mtstandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/609
Author: Tim Trainor

CANADA DOES NOT REFUSE TRAVELERS WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA
CARDS

Having a medical marijuana card cannot affect a Montanan's ability to
visit Canada; however, all drugs found at the border crossing will be
confiscated.

Lisa White, spokesperson for the Canada Border Control Services
Agency, said that despite rumors to the contrary, a traveler's
enrollment in the Montana's medical marijuana program is not reason to
refuse entry into our northern neighbor.

"In and of itself, it is not a valid reason to deny entrance," she
said.

Health Canada, the federal department that runs the country's
healthcare system, has a medical marijuana program and the drug is
allowed for those suffering from "grave and debilitating illnesses"
like cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis.

However, according to White, Health Canada does not recognize the
medical marijuana programs of any other country. Therefore, a person
could not bring a personal amount of the drug across the border,
despite the fact that it was medically prescribed.

White said any marijuana found at a border crossing would have to be
"abandoned to the crown." She said that officers would not turn the
car back, because that would violate the country's drug laws.

"They have to confiscate it," she said. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D