Windsor Immigration Lawyer Warns Of Marijuana Confusion Come October

By Teresinha Medeiros

Published: June 26, 2018 at 4:02 PM

DETROIT - JANUARY 31: A driver hands their proof of citizenship to a U.S. Customs & Border Protection agent at the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel January 31, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. Today is the first day that new rules for identification documents went into effect at U.S. borders. Travelers will need to present proof of citizenship such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate. A drivers licence and oral declaration of citizenship will no longer be sufficient. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)(Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Drew Porter says laws governing marijuana are not consistent in the U.S.

A Windsor immigration lawyer is warning of some confusion come this October when Canada legalizes small amounts of marijuana.

Speaking on AM800's the Lynn Martin Show, Drew Porter says the laws governing marijuana are not consistent in the U.S which will make crossing the border complicated.

Recreational marijuana is illegal in Michigan, but nine states have legalized the use of marijuana for recreational use and 29 states have legalized it for medicinal purposes.

Porter says even though some states have legalized it for recreational or medicinal purposes, it is still illegal federally.

"It is still listed as a schedule 1 offence, which means that it has no medicinal value and it has the potential for abuse so it listed along with heroine and cocaine."

He says people could be denied entry to the U.S for simply smoking pot.

"You are inadmissible to the U.S if you have a conviction for the use of marijuana or if you admit to the essential elements of the crime, so were you asked do you or have you used marijuana, if the answer was in the affirmative, you could be denied entry," he says.

Small amounts of recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada come October 17.