Stay Away From Marijuana
Stay Away from Marijuana and Cannabis Related Industries
Although marijuana has been legalized in Canada and medical marijuana rules have been changing in North Dakota, marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law.
International students should NEVER possess cannabis or travel with any cannabis related product in the United States.
- Canadian Government Statement on travel with Marijuana
- U.S. CBP Statement on Canada's Legalization of Marijuana and Crossing the Border
Please review these articles and videos:
- Experts Warn Immigrants in Illinois to Stay Away From Marijuana
- Legal Colorado Marijuana Workers Denied Citizenship Over Work
- Colorado’s 9News: Marijuana can disqualify you for citizenship
- Unless You're a Citizen, Legal Marijuana Isn't for You
If you have questions regarding marijuana as it relates to your status, please consult an appropriate attorney.
Below is some great information from the University of Colorado Boulder about how any marijuana related activity can jeopardize your visa.
A legal permanent resident or anyone on immigrant or non-immigrant visas should stay away from marijuana use (consumption in any form) and anyone or anything associated with it because it remains a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act and use of marijuana in any form is illegal under federal law. Growing marijuana, using marijuana medically or recreationally, and working in industries associated with marijuana and cannabidiol or CBD (e.g. working in a lab extracting CBD oils for medical purposes) may have negative immigration consequences.
Both international student and scholar visas and SEVIS records are maintained by agencies of the federal government. If these federal agencies discover any illegal drug use, including marijuana usage, they may revoke the offenders visa.
Information used with permission from ISSS at UCB:
https://www.colorado.edu/isss/2019/05/07/stay-away-marijuana-cannabis-related-activities-industries
