Flying high: Travellers told not to bring cannabis across border
With cannabis legalization here, the Calgary Airport Authority is reminding travellers to be wary of when pot, and how much, can be carried on their flights, lest they wind up having a bad trip in more ways than one.
But as far as violations go, when it comes to federal legislation and the city’s cannabis bylaws, airport staff don’t yet know how big of an issue it could be.
“I think right across Canada, a lot of airports and other businesses are considering ‘what is it’ and there’s certainly some lessons that are going to be learned coming forward,” said Alan Lawn, director of terminal operations for the Calgary International Airport.
“Will we see a high increase in people travelling with it? That’s to be determined yet. It’s still very early stages on that one.”
Recreational cannabis cannot be consumed on airport property, despite its legality as of Wednesday. But passengers travelling within Canada will be allowed to carry up to 30 grams on their flights, either in their carry-on bags or checked luggage.
The airport advises those travelling domestically with cannabis to store it in a clear sandwich or Ziplock bag, ensuring the contents are visible when passing through security.
Flying internationally with cannabis, either recreational or medicinal, remains illegal and can lead to serious criminal penalties both in Canada and abroad. This remains the case even when travelling to places where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized.
Marijuana possession remains prohibited under U.S. federal laws, making it illegal to take it south of the border. It also remains illegal to bring cannabis into Canada.
“Even after cannabis is legalized in Canada, do not attempt to cross the Canada-U.S. border with any amount of cannabis in any form, even if you are travelling to a U.S. state that has legalized possession of cannabis,” the Canadian government warns. “If you do so you can expect legal prosecution and fines, and possibly jail time.”
Lawn said one of the airport’s top priorities has been making sure staff at security checkpoints are aware of what to look for when monitoring for cannabis-related violations.
“If they suspect someone (is) carrying over 30 grams, then of course we would call in the Calgary Police Service and we have the local unit here at the airport who would respond and investigate that type of situation,” he said. “It’s all relatively new. I’m sure there’s going to be some learning coming out of this over the next little while.”
But, he said, ensuring passengers are aware of the rules is the airport’s top challenge after legalization.
A survey conducted by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada showed that one-fifth of Canadians planning a vacation this year are unaware of the implications associated with travelling with marijuana.
“You’ve got that aspect of it, where if you’re travelling to the States, then you could be subject to legal prosecution,” said Lawn. “It’s a matter of trying to get that message out there to the travellers, to educate (on) what is legal and what is not legal.”
Some airports throughout the country have already added onsite amnesty boxes for passengers to dispose of cannabis they may be carrying prior to taking off.
No such disposal boxes have been implemented in Calgary as of yet, but Lawn said it’s an option that the Calgary Airport Authority is reviewing.
“We are discussing with other airports across Canada what they’re doing,” he said. “That is something we’re certainly considering at this time. We’ve got to review all the parameters and once we determine that, we’ll decide on our course of action.”
Lawn said one concern that amnesty boxes pose is what to do with the marijuana collected.
“You’ve got to evaluate it because, well, what do you do then with the amnesty boxes, how do you dispose of the amnesty boxes?” he said. “So, all those things have started coming up. Those things still have to be determined.”