Maple News reports that although Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, international travelers with cannabis-related offenses may still encounter barriers when entering the country. Despite domestic legalization, cannabis remains strictly regulated, and foreign convictions can affect admissibility under Canadian immigration law.
First and foremost, transporting cannabis across Canada’s borders remains illegal—even if cannabis is legal in both the originating and receiving countries. The only exception is for authorized medical or scientific shipments approved by Health Canada. Individuals found attempting to cross the border with cannabis without proper authorization may face penalties including fines, detention, and future bans on entering Canada.
Impaired driving, including driving under the influence of cannabis, is viewed as a serious crime in Canada. Offenses such as operating a vehicle with two or more nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood within two hours of driving, refusing drug or alcohol testing, or driving dangerously while impaired can result in criminal charges. A conviction for any of these offenses can make a traveler inadmissible to Canada.
For travelers wishing to consume cannabis legally while in Canada, it’s crucial to follow local laws. Each province and territory has its own legal minimum age for cannabis use—ranging from 18 to 21 years old. Purchasing must be from licensed retailers, and individuals may carry no more than 30 grams of dried cannabis or its legal equivalent in public.
Individuals with cannabis-related criminal records outside of Canada must undergo a case-by-case assessment. If the offense would not be considered a crime under Canadian law—for example, simple possession of 30 grams or less—it may not impact admissibility. However, crimes that remain illegal in Canada, such as impaired driving or possession of larger quantities, may trigger a denial of entry.
There are three main pathways to overcoming cannabis-related inadmissibility. The first is applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), which allows short-term entry for those who cannot otherwise enter Canada legally. The second is criminal rehabilitation, which permanently resolves inadmissibility after a five-year waiting period from sentence completion. For more recent offenses—such as cannabis-impaired driving after legalization in 2018—a TRP may be the only viable option.
A third remedy is a legal opinion letter. Prepared by a Canadian immigration lawyer, this document describes the individual’s past offense and explains, based on Canadian law, why they should be considered admissible. Such letters can be especially helpful in pre-sentencing scenarios or for individuals previously denied entry due to cannabis-related incidents.
In summary, while cannabis use is legal throughout Canada, it does not automatically grant free entry to travelers with related offenses. However, depending on the severity and timing of a past incident, there may still be a viable path to visit Canada. Travelers should seek professional legal assistance to assess their options.