Pubdate: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Section: Travel Talk Page: D4 Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Authors: Barbara Braidwood and Rick Cropp WATCH DRUGS AT THE BORDER Canada, U.S. Have Different Laws Governing What Is Allowable Smoke And Consequences The publicity that has accompanied the dramatic relaxing of the marijuana laws recently in several U.S. states, especially Washington and Colorado, plus the Canadian government's somewhat confusing but more liberal attitude toward small amounts of marijuana, has given many travellers the wrong impression - to their horror. Crossing the Canada-U.S. border in either direction with even small amounts of marijuana is illegal. The U.S. federal government still has "a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal drugs, which means that very severe penalties are imposed for the possession of even a small quantity." In fact, it doesn't even acknowledge any of the new state laws regarding marijuana. These regulations include drug paraphernalia. Leave a pipe with a bit of suspect residue in the ashtray and they will hand you back a severely rearranged car. Coming back into Canada, even if "you are authorized under Canada's Marijuana Medical Access Regulations to possess or produce marijuana for medical purposes in Canada, you are not allowed to carry marijuana when you enter or leave Canada." See www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/publications/ The same website had another interesting fact. Drug traffickers prey on tourists, especially women, younger travellers and seniors. As a young man of about 20, Rick remembers a good friend he made in Mexico asking him to take a gift to a friend in Canada. As a nice Canadian, he readily agreed. He always figured he would recognize drug smugglers by their horns and tail so it came as a complete shock when a Canadian friend with him suggested that the "gift" might be drugs. Since then, he travels with a modicum of suspicion about new acquaintances and watches bags/pockets/ packs for people taking stuff out and putting stuff in. Vacations can just naturally lower our guard just when it needs to be at its highest. Many over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal and homeopathic products that are legally available in Canada may be illegal in other countries. When Barbara strained her back, she asked a U.S. pharmacist for a muscle relaxant that is readily available on the shelves in Canada. It is a prescription medication in the U.S. We were surprised the first time we had to buy cold medicines from behind the counter after producing a driver's licence and signatures while in the U.S. A chemical in some cold medicines is an essential ingredient in making methamphetamine. Needles and syringes can cause problems without a doctor's note or prescription. We request a prescription for Barbara's non-prescription EpiPen, an injectable epinephrine for acute allergic reactions, for ease in border crossings. Before you travel, ask your pharmacy in Canada to print out your prescription medication profile and extra stickon labels if you need them for smaller travel size bottles. See www.travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/drugs for other suggestions. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D