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Travel advisory for medical marijuana prescription holders

Release Date
Tue, 01/24/2017

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations is reminding travelers planning trips across the border into Minnesota or North Dakota to leave their medicinal marijuana at home.

Although medical marijuana is legal in many U.S. States and Canada, the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under U.S. federal law. Consequently, crossing with a valid medical marijuana prescription is prohibited and could potentially result in fines, apprehension, or both.

All travelers are reminded of a few simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently.

The Internationl Falls, Minnesota, Port of Entry.
International Falls, Minnesota, Port of Entry

1. Check out the CBP informational website

The CBP site has been completely redesigned to help users quickly access the content they need. It also is optimized for access by smart phones and makes use of a new content delivery network that will improve access internationally.

2. Know the contents of your vehicles and be prepared to declare all items

Travelers are required to declare all items being imported into the United States from Canada. If you are not sure about what to declare, do not hesitate to ask the CBP officer.

3. Beat the border rush

Cross during off-peak times, such as before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on into early afternoon.

Monitor wait times for the ports of International Falls, Minnesota, and Pembina, North Dakota. Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits.

4. Keep travel documents handy

Make sure each passenger has the correct travel document accessible and ready to give to the CBP officer.

If you are a frequent international traveler and have not already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. For more information, please visit CBP’s Trusted Traveler section.

5. Know what food products can be imported

Many fruits, meats, dairy and poultry products are prohibited from being imported into the United States from Canada.

For more information, view prohibited and restricted items.

Our dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those who would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.

For more information on international traveling into the United States visit CBP’s Travel section.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021