5 things about international travel when cannabis becomes legal

The signs posted onthe Canadian side of Ontario's Thousand Islands crossing into theUnited States couldn't be more clear: "No cannabis at border crossings."

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It's a reminder that even though Canada enters a brave new worldof cannabis legalization on Wednesday, these heady horizons do notnecessarily extend beyond the country's borders. So Canadians shouldbe aware of the rules when travelling abroad once Ottawa allowsrecreational marijuana use at home.

Here's what you need to know:

1.Legalization

As of Oct. 17, adults in Canada can possess and share up to 30grams of legal cannabis. They'll be able to buy it from provinciallyor federally licensed retailers and growup to four cannabisplants per residence for personal use.

2. Cannabis to go?

Leave your freshly procured weed at home. The federal government warns that taking pot in any form across Canada's international borders will remain illegal and can result in serious criminalpenalties both at home and abroad.

This is the case even if you are travelling to places like TheNetherlands or Uruguay that have decriminalized or legalizedcannabis.

The restriction applies regardless of the amount or whether youhold a document authorizing the use of cannabis for medicalpurposes. Only Health Canada has authority to issue permits or grant exemptions in limited circumstances.

3.Heading to the United States

Many U.S. states allow medical or recreational use of marijuana.But it changes nothing when crossing the border. That's because cultivation, possession and distribution of the drug remain illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

The border falls under federal jurisdiction, and U.S. Customs andBorder Protection officers can deny Canadians and other non-citizensentry on a number of marijuana-related grounds.These include a pot conviction in the United States or abroad, an admission of use without a conviction, or reason to believe you're adrug addict or involved in trafficking. Or you could be turned awayif the officer believes you will violate the Controlled SubstancesAct -- for instance by smoking pot in the U.S., even in a state likeColorado or Washington where it's legal.

Once ruled inadmissible, a traveller might require a special waiver to enter the U.S.It's best to avoid telltale visual clues or saying anything thatmight prompt questions about drug use. So, no flashing a lighteremblazoned with a marijuana leaf or joking about that Grateful Deadconcert you went to in Portland years ago.

The federal government advises Canadians not to lie at theborder.If you don't like the questions, you have the right to withdrawyour request to enter the U.S.

4.What if I work in the cannabis industry?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a Canadian citizen working in the legal cannabis industry in Canada will generally beallowed into the U.S. for vacation or business unrelated tomarijuana. But a person seeking entry for reasons related to thecannabis industry might be turned away.

Indeed, there have been reports of Canadians being denied entrydue to involvement in the U.S. cannabis industry.

Consultant Ivan Ross Vrana says he has not been asked aboutmarijuana upon entering the U.S. about half a dozen times in thelast couple of years to meet with people looking to work in theCanadian cannabis industry. Nor has he heard of associates runninginto snags at the border.

"I think the best policy is to be straightforward," said Vrana,vice-president of public affairs at Hill and Knowlton Strategies. "It's their country, it's their rules, right?"

5.Coming home to Canada

Bringing cannabis into Canada will remain illegal, even whentravelling from places that have loosened their laws on marijuanause, the government warns.

Canada Border Services Agency officials say they will be asking visitors and returning Canadians whether they have any cannabis withthem. They hope the question will reduce the risk of unintentionalviolations of the law.

If you are carrying pot when you enter Canada, it must be declared to the border agency. Otherwise, you may face arrest and prosecution, the agency says.