Cannabis-carrying border-crossers could be hit with fines under coming system
OTTAWA — Travellers caught sneaking small amounts of marijuana into Canada could soon be forced to pay fines.
Although stiff criminal penalties will remain options on the books, the federal border agency is developing administrative sanctions to give it more flexibility to deal with people who arrive at the border with cannabis in the era of legal recreational use.
Since Oct. 17, adults in Canada have been allowed to possess and share up to 30 grams of cannabis, but bringing the drug into the country continues to be illegal, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.