Can I get into Canada with a marijuana conviction?

[Leaf it to me]

I was convicted of a misdemeanor of maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana, a little over 2 years ago.

Am I ineligible to visit? The canadian immigration page wasn't specific about drug use.

 

[BubsNugs]

Pretty sure you are screwed..... stupid freakin drug laws messin with peoples lives....
You could try anyways and just hope that no one asks at the border...I dont know for sure though but be careful...hope you can visit its nice place up here....

Peace

 

[crownedsparrow]

Im pretty positive that you are good man. It wouldnt hurt to contact someone with customs over there and ask but I'm almost positive you'd b fine to visit.

 

[sunnydog]

If they ask you,or they check, you're fucked. Period. You are deemed "inadmissable to Canada".
You would have to be pardoned by Canada.
(sorry)

 

[petemoss]

Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I've crossed the border dozens of times and all that Canadian Customs asks you is what is the purpose of your visit. They didn't punch my name into any computer or anything. And even if they did,
how could a record of your old misdemeanor show up? They could have a watchlist of undesireables or terrorists, but not anyone with a stateside misdemeanor. If they did, I'd never be able to get in because I have two misdemeanors for promotion of gambling. So just tell them "I'm here to catch some big walleyes!" and enjoy your visit.

 

[okwildfire]

well..now i belive ya need a passport...but i would really like to get a for sure answer as well..cause i want to go get me some of those walleye too! yummy!

 

[Stinkymutt]

not 100% sure

not 100% sure

I have not been to Canada since my possesion charges were added to my "file" . But I have a good freind who is a 2 time trafficking offender who goes to NB every year to visit family . Has not had a problem , but they have not asked or ran his ID as far as he can remember . I would say its a yes or no thing depending on the B.P. dudes mood ?
later
mutt

 

[Mr. Bongjangles]

New information sharing between Canada and the USA is the reason people are being turned away at the border due to misdemeanor offenses and stuff.

Technically it has always been Canada's policy that foreigners with certain offenses cannot be admitted.

As mentioned though, it comes down to the border officer running your information through the system. In most cases, they will ask your business and send you on your way without difficulty.

If you absolutely must go, you can apply for "a Minister's Approval of Rehabilitation" and some Canadian cat will review your case. Expect that to take some time, though I believe you can pay a bunch of money to get it done faster by a politician or something.

I believe if you fly in from the USA they will run your info sometime before you land, so I would try to enter via car or something.

Hide your state issued medical marijuana cards too, apparently that is reason enough to turn you away.

Check out this excellent SFgate.com article that breaks this all down -

Going to Canada? Check your past
Tourists with minor criminal records turned back at border

Even worse, they say this is coming to other countries soon, so folks with records could have trouble getting around Europe or other places.

 

[Leaf it to me]

Okay, thanks for the responses.

So is flying in definitely a no no, does anyone know that for certain? I certainly will have to do more research...

But the main question I would like to ask you all is if I can get turned away at the border, then come back when the shift turns over and try again, or go up the road and try to enter at a different checkpoint?

My destination is Toronto, so I'm not sure I have many options if I'm coming from the south through the Niagra area.... maybe entering via the northeast U.S. would provide more options?

 

[0h-gn00h]

from a cannabisculture article:

"There are various ways you can gain legal status in Canada, even if you've got past marijuana convictions," he explained. "If enough time goes by, or if the offense you were convicted of in the states is something that is not considered a serious crime in Canada, you might be able to get yourself 'rehabilitated,' which means your past is not then used as a barrier to your entry or your staying in Canada.

 

[1969]

That CC article is very inaccurate...
If you have something as little as a DUI and they find this out at the border you are not getting in to Canada, period.

I've been cross border many times and was only asked for my passport once and my name was typed in but I'm clean.

If you want to risk crossing chances are you won't run into any problems, but there is always a chance you will.

 

[j6p]

Check out this excellent SFgate.com article that breaks this all down -

"Take the case of 55-year-old Lake Tahoe resident Greg Felsch. Stopped at the border in Vancouver this month at the start of a planned five-day ski trip, he was sent back to the United States because of a DUI conviction seven years ago. Not that he had any idea what was going on when he was told at customs: "Your next stop is immigration.'' Felsch was ushered into a room. "There must have been 75 people in line," he says. "We were there for three hours. One woman was in tears. A guy was sent back for having a medical marijuana card. I felt like a felon with an ankle bracelet.''

"Or ask the well-to-do East Bay couple who flew to British Columbia this month for an eight-day ski vacation at the famed Whistler Chateau, where rooms run to $500 a night. They'd made the trip many times, but were surprised at the border to be told that the husband would have to report to "secondary'' immigration. There, in a room he estimates was filled with 60 other concerned travelers, he was told he was "a person who was inadmissible to Canada.'' The problem? A conviction for marijuana possession. In 1975."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/23/NEVIUS.TMP#ixzz0P3sUjGMd
​

 

[StinkingRoger]

Oh you always talk you Americans.
Its YOU that refuses people entry into "Your country", strip search and fingerprint you.
talk about The land of the Free.
All the Rights and "freedoms" you think you Had and enjoyed have all been taken away from you while you were out ordering Pizza.


Its called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.

 

[KnuckleHedd]

I believe you chose an appropriate user name for yourself, Roger.

 

[h^2 O]

i would just have someone drive the car through and you walk through the forest and they pick u up on the other side. They don't stamp your passport or anything anyway, so its not like if they'll know how you got in or not or if you're allowed there

 

[xcrispi]

Friends been stopped and detained numerous times at Amb. Bridge and Windsor Tunnel both because of dope charges .
Crispi

 

[j6p]

It seems that minor offenses e.g. shoplifting, from as long ago as 1970, can and do result in denial of entry to Canada.

"Persons who have been convicted of a criminal offence in any country may be inadmissible to Canada as a result of their criminal record. Even persons who do not require a Visa to enter Canada may still be refused permission to enter Canada if they are members of an inadmissible class.

INADMISSIBLE CLASSES:
Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted of minor offenses (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal substances, etc.), or of indictable criminal offenses (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) are considered Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offense in Canada.
Those who have received traffic violations including parking/speeding tickets, etc.) and other minor violations (i.e. littering, etc.) most likely will not be prohibited from entering Canada. Similarly, those who have juvenile convictions (convictions for crimes committed while under age 18) most likely will not be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have been tried as an adult for their offenses.

How does an Inadmissible person get into Canada?
Those who have been convicted of an offense outside Canada, and have had 5 years elapse since the termination of the custodial portion (if any) of the sentence imposed (not the sentence served), may apply for a Minister's APPROVAL OF REHABILITATION. The Minister's Approval will permanently remove the inadmissibility caused by conviction.
Persons who committed criminal activity or were convicted of criminal offenses outside Canada can apply for approval of rehabilitation by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration if five years have passed since the end of the criminal activity or the completion of the sentence.
Persons who wish to enter Canada but are ineligible for approval of rehabilitation because not enough time has passed can complete the form and check "For Information Only". An immigration officer will decide if a Temporary Resident/Minister's Permit for temporary admission is warranted.
If less than 5 years have elapsed, or if persons are only seeking entry to Canada for a single or limited period, then they may apply for a TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT.
Documentation that may be required is as follows:

• A statement from you indicating how often and for what purpose you are likely to visit Canada in the future;
• A copy of the Court Judgment including the verdict and sentence;
• A copy of the text of the law violated;
• Evidence of your rehabilitation. This may be in the form of 3 letters from parole boards, public officials, respected citizens, clergymen, etc. (Note* letters from friends or neighbors are NOT acceptable);
• Police certificates (FBI and state authority)
• A full written explanation in your own words concerning the circumstances of the conviction(s);
• 3 recent identical passport photographs;
• A copy of the probation or parole officer's report on your progress. If the terms of your probation restrict your travel, please provide evidence that the court consents to your visit(s) to Canada;
• A completed application (visitor visa form);
• If you have been ordered deported from Canada, full details including the date and place at which the deportation was ordered. If possible, forward a copy of the deportation order with the completed application.

OBTAINING A POLICE CERTIFICATE:

• A Police Certificate, or certificate of "no criminal record" is necessary for every applicant age 18 and older who requires it.
• A Police Certificate is required from the state/country where the applicant CURRENTLY lives, along with ALL other states/countries where the applicant has resided in for 6 months or more since age 18.
• The Police Certificate should be issued by a NATIONAL or FEDERAL police agency where possible.
• All Police Certificates must have been issued within the last SIX MONTHS.
• All Police Certificates MUST BE ORIGINALS. Photocopies will NOT be accepted.
• All Police Certificates MUST be accompanied by an ORIGINAL TRANSLATION prepared by an accredited translator if they are in a language other than English or French.

FROM THE FBI:
Applicants requiring Police Certificates who are currently present in the United States or who have stayed in the U.S. for six months or more MUST obtain police clearance from the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI).
STEP ONE - HAVE A FULL SET OF FINGERPRINTS TAKEN BY A RECOGNIZED AGENCY:

• Fingerprints for U.S. record checks should be taken on the FBI FINGERPRINT FORM. Do not contact any FBI office regarding fingerprinting. A Fingerprint Form can be obtained by requesting one by mail from the FBI at:

Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS Division),
Attn: SCU, Mod. D-2,
1000 Custer Hollow Road,
Clarksburg, West Virginia, U.S.A., 26306.​

• Fingerprints can usually be taken in the U.S. by a LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. Persons MAY also be fingerprinted at a private organization engaged in the fingerprinting business. The applicant should always specify when making a fingerprinting request that it is required for Canadian immigration purposes.
• Applicants appearing for fingerprinting will also need PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, such as a passport. They should also be prepared to provide fingerprinting agents with details including full name, maiden name, any aliases, date of birth, sex, race, social security number, proof of identity, and the reason for requesting fingerprinting (Canadian immigration purposes).
• A fee will usually be charged for fingerprinting. Fees vary according to the location where the applicant is fingerprinted.

STEP TWO - SEND FINGERPRINTS ALONG WITH A PROCESSING FEE TO THE FBI:

• A CERTIFIED CHECK OR MONEY ORDER for U.S. $18 should be made payable to "Treasury of the United States".
• Processing usually takes between 6 and 8 weeks. The FBI will send the applicant the results of their check by RETURNING their fingerprint card. THAT IS THE APPLICANT'S POLICE CERTIFICATE ..."

Is there more? You bet!
Continued at http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/CIB/visitCanada.asp

 

[BUDOGHI]

Why waste your time in canada come to Oaksterdam on the west side. No need passport.

 

[j6p]

Why waste your time in canada come to Oaksterdam on the west side. No need passport.

Sounds like good advice