CARDHOLDERS OK IN CANADA, BUT POT CANNOT PASS BORDER

Having a medical-marijuana card cannot affect a Montanan's ability to
visit Canada; however, all drugs found at the border crossing will be
confiscated.

Lisa White, spokeswoman for the Canada Border Control Services
Agency, said that despite rumors to the contrary, a traveler's
enrollment in Montana's medical-marijuana program is not a reason for
them to be refused entry into our northern neighbor.

"In and of itself, it is not a valid reason to deny entrance," she said.

Health Canada, the federal department that runs the country's health
care system, has a medical-marijuana program, and the drug is allowed
for those suffering from "grave and debilitating illnesses" like
cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis.

However, according to White, Health Canada does not recognize the
medical-marijuana programs of any other country. Therefore, a person
could not bring a personal amount of the drug across the border,
despite the fact that it was medically prescribed.

White said any marijuana found at a border crossing would have to be
"abandoned to the crown."

She said that officers would not turn the car back, because that
would violate the country's drug laws.

"They have to confiscate it," she said.