REGISTERED PATIENTS CAN VISIT CANADA, BUT NOT WITH POT

BUTTE - 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, spokesperson for the Canada Border Control Services
Agency, said that despite rumors to the contrary, a traveler's
enrollment in the Montana's medical marijuana program won't keep anyone out.

"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" such as
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.