The Mercury contacted the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) in regards to how they will be dealing with legal marijuana across the border.
Chief Kristi Lakefield, the public affairs liaison for U.S Customs and Border Protection, was available for comment on the matter.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces the laws of the United States. Although medical and recreational marijuana may be legal in some U.S. states and (soon in) Canada, the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under U.S. federal law.
“Consequently, crossing the border with marijuana is prohibited and could potentially result in fines, apprehension or both,” said Lakefield.
North Dakota will continue to have marijuana classified as a narcotic. This means that Canadians crossing into the state with any amount of marijuana on them will be prosecuted in accordance with U.S law in a U.S court.
“CBP officers are the nation’s first line of defence, including prevention of illegal importation of narcotics. U.S. federal law prohibits the importation of marijuana and CBP officers will continue to enforce that law,” said Lakefield.
“CBP officers are highly trained to detect the illegal importation of narcotics. CBP’s mission to prevent this illegal importation will remain unchanged,” she added.
