Pot is officially legal just across the border. Early this morning, the purchase and use of cannabis became legal in some cases for those 18 and older.
Some provinces have a minimum age requirement of 19.
There’s no question; some Metro Detroiters will be looking to take advantage of the new law.
But before you start your engines and cross the border, U.S. Customs & Border Protection officials are warning Michiganders about the possible violations.
For starters, transportation of marijuana to and from Canada to the U.S. would be illegal in both countries.
Using marijuana will still be illegal federally even if the state of Michigan approves it in November. Federal law supersedes state law.
The number two thing you need to know: border officials are not planning to change their tactics
No extra dogs or personnel will, they say, be used to sniff out the marijuana. Interactions with officers, they add, should feel the same.
The questions asked yesterday are basically the same as today and they say they are generally not asking routine questions about people’s marijuana use.
That said, they can and likely will ask if you’re carrying marijuana. Whether they further search your car will be on a case by case basis.
Finally, for violators, penalties could involve seizure, prosecution, or they could involve financial penalties.
Under U.S. law, marijuana is still treated like any other narcotic. So the fine could be up to $5,000.
