Legal Marijuana

New Cannabis Laws Free Prisoners

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Prisoners Charged With Cannabis Offenses Are Being Released

Since California’s legalization of medical cannabis, in 1996, several states have followed suit and provided a more modern approach to dealing with cannabis.

From medical use to recreational use in 22 states and Washington D.C., you can now legally use marijuana! In many states, it has also become decriminalized, protecting minor offenders (who would have previously been prosecuted for a dime bag) from the headache of an unnecessary arrest.

As a country, overall in the past 25 years, we have come a long way in the fight for legalizing marijuana. For those of us who are free and able to partake in these new legal marijuana outlets, it is wonderful and is a time for celebration.

Some of our brothers and sisters did NOT make it to the GREEN AGE of legalization, without a detour through prison.

Across the country thousands of men and women still sit behind bars, serving out time on minor marijuana offenses. Some of them are even being SLAPPED with the label of felons. Since the changing of many laws, some of these so-called “offenders” have been able to have their sentences overturned and are being set free.

There have been many “cannabis offenders” throughout the years, go to prison and be released.

Here are a few updates on those who were imprisoned due to marijuana or are currently on their way out.

Jeff Mizanskey

One of the most talked about prisoners released after new marijuana laws were implemented, Mr. Mizanskey spent two decades in prison for a non-violent marijuana charge. He was arrested in 1996 for the intent to distribute nearly 6 pounds of marijuana. Mr. Mizanskey was charged with a life sentence with no option for parole. Although it is still illegal to distribute marijuana without proper protocol and licensing, this sentence was quite harsh even for the time. Jeff was a non-violent offender who only had two previous, minor arrests on his record, which were also non-violent. In 2015, the new Governor of Missouri, where Mizanskey was serving his time, reversed the decision of the court and allowed him to walk free.

James Tranmer

In 1993 James Tranmer was sentenced to 420 months or 35 years in prison for conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana. He has continued to promote the benefits of marijuana from behind bars and is still active in his Rastafarian based faith. James was sentenced for helping his son financially with a marijuana smuggling venture. His son also served time for the same case. He pled his case to President Obama, seeking Presidential clemency. In 2017 Tranmer received his wish and was granted clemency in President Obama’s last round of clemencies. He was released on May 19, 2017, at the age of 73 after spending 24 years in prison.

Paul Free

Paul Free was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 1995. This non-violent charge that was weakly substantiated has led to a decades-long fight for freedom. Paul has been incarcerated in California trying to find a lawyer that can help him successfully overturn his charges for the past 22 years. When he was originally charged, there were multiple witnesses that stated he was not the person who distributed them marijuana, as well as having multiple pieces of evidence which place him away from the scene of the crime. Finally, in 2017 Free was given a glimmer of hope when he was granted clemency by President Obama. He is set to be released in the next few years and will be able to assimilate back into normal life with his brother down in Mexico.

Craig Frazier

In 2005 Craig Frazier was charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a non-violent offense. Frazier was caught in an unfair situation where he was charged, on the premises, that he had WAY more marijuana in his possession than he actually did. Even based off of the amount of marijuana he had, Frazier was charged with four times the mandatory minimum for his case. He was treated this way in the Montana court system. After 7 years in prison with a clean record, Frazier was granted clemency and released on December 18, 2016. He plans to attend college back in his home state of Montana.

Dustin Costa

Our last update on a marijuana prisoner does not end as well as the previous few. Dustin Costa is still incarcerated at the Lompoc prison in Lompoc, California. He was running a small-scale marijuana grow farm that catered exclusively to patients. Costa stuck strictly to the rules laid out in prop 215 but was still arrested. He was charged with several different marijuana offenses and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. Costa is now 71 years old and has been in prison since 2005. Not only were his crimes non-violent, but he was also helping around 300 patients have access to the healing, medicinal qualities of marijuana at the time of his arrest. Costa is still an avid cannabis supporter and looks forward to the future when it is legalized everywhere. Although he may never see life beyond prison bars again he is grateful for the support of others through letter correspondence and continues to enjoy advocating marijuana in any way that he can.

With new laws being implemented throughout the states we can only hope for more stories the end in 100% release for non-violent cannabis charges.

The harsh, draconian laws of the past no longer need to be upheld. As marijuana becomes legalized for medical and recreational use across the country, it will at the very least lead to fewer marijuana arrests and fewer prisoners in general. Violent drug offenders should most definitely STILL be prosecuted! However, for non-violent marijuana situations, there is no need for ANYONE to serve out the rest of their life behind bars.

Prohibitions Influence On The Legal System

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It’s no secret that the US 1920’s ALCOHOL PROHIBITION did NOT work at all!

For those thirteen years, vast amounts of wealth were created illegally on the black market. The basic law of economics teaches us that where EVER there is a demand, a supply will be created.

Perhaps an even more destructive prohibition in the U.S. has that of hemp and cannabis medicine. For eighty years, cannabis prohibition has plagued the American people – a prohibition set into action based almost entirely off of lies, racism and crooked cronyism interests.

Cannabis Prohibition First Takes Hold

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was one of the most manipulatively convoluted and misunderstood laws to ever hit the books. Just about everyone who has read or seen pieces of media such as Reefer Madness can now understand how absurd these claims were. The sad part is, back then – people actually believed that ‘one toke can turn youths into marijuana addicts’ and that ‘the devil’s weed, with its roots in hell, led wealthy white women to leave their husbands for black jazz musicians.’

The ringleader spinning this web of lies was a vile man by the name of Harry Anslinger. Anslinger served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department‘s Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). The FBN eventually evolved into what we now know as the DEA. He was a perhaps the most vocal and outspoken supporter of the criminalization of drugs. Without him, cannabis prohibition might never have come to pass.

Somehow, Anslinger held office for 32 years in his role as commissioner until 1962. After that, he was the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Narcotics Commission for two years. In addition to inciting racism, Anslinger told an abundance of lies to representatives of a political system that believed it. In so doing, the waters of people’s understandings of the differences between non-psychoactive hemp and cannabis medicine were so muddied; most Americans didn’t know the difference at the time. In fact, the term ‘marihuana’ was virtually invented by these government goons at this time period. Later the made-up word evolved into what most people call it today – marijuana.

Before this, the plant was mostly called hemp in the west, with some more educated people referring to it as its scientific name, cannabis. Not only did Anslinger and his cohorts prevent access to cannabis medicine, but also restricted access to hemp – which is one of the most versatile plants on the planet.

Hemp’s Historical Uses

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As you might already know, the non-psychoactive hemp plant has an abundance of uses dating back centuries. More than half of states in the U.S. currently allow the growing of hemp with a license. The Federal government passed a farm bill was 2014. This legislation allows farmers in legal states to grow industrial hemp, provided it clocks in at under 0.3% THC.

Popular Mechanics magazine called hemp a “billion dollar cash crop” back in 1938.

Ironically, this was right around the time that cannabis/ prohibition was taking hold of the country. Even though cannabis prohibition has stifled much of the potential advancements involving the versatile plant, American-grown hemp has been proving itself as a cash crop once again. Sales of hemp products reached over $500 million nationwide in 2015, reports the Boulder, Colorado-based Hemp Business Journal.

How Prohibition Influences The Legal System

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As previously stated, the parasite of marijuana prohibition has been embedded into all Americans for 80 years now. As destructive as it was back then, it’s arguably even worse now. According to the ACLU, marijuana arrests make up more than half of all drug arrests in the United States. Police made 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010. Of those arrests, 88% were for simple possession – not for selling it, or for property damage, or hurting anyone else.

The War on Drugs was initially put into place by President Nixon, and Regan amped it up with the “Just Say No” campaigns of the 1980’s. Along with a plethora of propaganda and fear mongering delivered to young children through the D.A.R.E. campaign, the drug war has needlessly claimed thousands of lives of otherwise law-abiding citizens that most Americans agree should be offered treatment instead of punishment for drug use if they weren’t hurting anyone else. The war on drugs has cost the American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and has effectively taken law enforcement attention away from real crimes with real victims.

Thankfully, there are many sensible officers, current and former, who are against the war on drugs because they see how it takes away their resources that would otherwise be focused on real crimes. One of such groups is Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), formerly known as Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. To say we need more sensible, compassionate, and educated officers like these who understand the vast harms brought on by drug prohibition and advocate an end to its stranglehold on the American people.

Despite the fact that sixty percent of Americans now favor the end of cannabis prohibition, President Trump’s new drug czar Jeff Sessions has vowed to crack down on drug users, stating, “Good people don’t smoke marijuana.” Sessions even made the outright statement that there is “no evidence of medical uses for marijuana,” which is a bold-faced lie. Does Sessions actually believe these ridiculous statements, or is he pandering to the forty percent of Americans who somehow favor the continued prohibition on cannabis and the war on drugs? You be the judge.

Who Benefits From the Continued Prohibition of Cannabis?

With all of the overwhelming evidence of the destructive nature of cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs, what is taking so long to end it? Many people have made speculation and will continue to do so. Some people think it’s the pharmaceutical industry whose corporations stand to lose millions from the outright legalization of medical cannabis. Others point to for-profit private prisons making a fortune on jailing weed smokers. With so many people being arrested for marijuana possession and being pushed through the legal system by essentially being forced into plea deals that involve treatment as terms of probation, drug counseling services also stand to lose out when cannabis prohibition finally ends. Then there are also the DEA and police unions who oppose legalization because they understand how much money is being drained from arrestees in the form of fines, court costs, and legal fees.

While cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs is still very much entrenched in the American culture and the legal system, we have seen some great strides over the past few years – and we’ve come a long way. Hopefully, the senseless prohibition of cannabis won’t last too much longer, as it has a negative impact on the U.S. in so many ways.

Should You Be A Cannabis Activist If You Have A Family?

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There are many cannabis activists doing great things for the legalization movement in the United States. These activists have made a noticeable impact in influencing not only government policies, but also the attitudes people hold towards medical and recreational cannabis. However, as with just about every type of positive activism, doing so can come with a hefty price to pay.

The consequences of activism can be hard enough on someone who is single and doesn’t have children – but for those who have families, they can be devastating. Should you become a cannabis activist if you have a family? What are the risks of cannabis activism? Are there some forms of cannabis activism that are safer than others? What are some ways you can plan for the worst-case scenario? Read on for the answers to these important questions.

The Risks Of Cannabis Activism

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With the continued war on drugs and the illegality of cannabis at a federal level, activists run the risk of being ticketed, fined, and even arrested. Police and other officials tend to be standing by for protester, and those participating in “smoke-outs.” On top of that, known cannabis activists can be shunned and ostracized by their communities and other organizations. There are still some more conservative towns and cities out there, the majority of their residents clinging to an antiquated prohibitionist mindset.

The “think of the children” rhetoric is one that’s often trotted out by these individuals, repeating the either uninformed or dishonest viewpoint that legalization increases underage use. Of course these anti-pot prohibitionists rarely admit in the same sentence that alcohol and tobacco – the two legal drugs that claim the most lives year after year – are readily available in most American locales.

Activists with children, especially single parents, take on the added risk of Child Protective Services taking their children from them, or at the very least making their lives more difficult. Regardless of the level of harm or drug activity these children are being exposed to, any shred of evidence that a parent is a known user of an “illegal drug” can trigger an investigation. While many of these investigations are fair and honest, unfortunately many of them are not.

In addition to this danger, a known cannabis activist runs the risk of being denied jobs, bank loans, and the like. With all of these risks that cannabis activists are up against, it’s commendable that there are still brave people that do so with the knowledge of what awaits them.

Are Any Forms Of Cannabis Activism Safe?

With all of these risks involved, it’s natural for one to wonder – what kind of activism can you do that is safe?

There is one method of activism, one that is just about as old as time: word of mouth. Having conversations with friends, neighbors, and extended family members about the truth of the failed war on drugs and the myriad of benefits from medical cannabis certainly is not illegal; at least not yet, anyway. It might seem like doing so is small potatoes and that these conversations don’t matter, but you might be surprised at how many former prohibition supporters saw the light and came around to favor legalization after having these kinds of conversations.

Even sharing cannabis-related articles with your connections on social media can have a positive impact on the way these people perceive legalization and its supporters. While most people do in fact live in an echo chamber and shut out the majority of what they disagree with – especially when it comes to social media – there are still those open-minded few that are willing to hear new ideas and engage in points of view that contradict their own. These are the people we should be focusing on and trying to engage with in conversation.

Planning For The Worst-Case Scenario

So you’ve weighed the pros and cons about being a cannabis activist while having a family and you’ve decided that you’re going to go through with it. Your bravery is commendable. At this point, you need to make some plans should something unexpected happen. Even those with the best-laid plans can experience setbacks and unfortunate events. Thankfully, there are several steps that you can take in order to plan for the worst-case scenario. This can mean several things ranging from being incarcerated to having your children unjustly taken from you.

The first and most important thing you need to do to plan for the worst-case scenario when being a cannabis activist is having a plan of action. Create contingencies for your children to be taken care of should you be incarcerated or have something else happen to you. Communicate your intentions to a trusted family member or friend and prepare them for the possibilities.

Another important action you can take to protect yourself while being a cannabis activist is to put aside some emergency money. Create an activist fund and put as much money as you can afford into this fund. Over time, you can build up this specific account to help you pay costly court fines or cover tickets for civil infractions. Grant account access to your spouse or someone you can trust should you need assistance and be rendered unable to get to the funds – such as being jailed for activism.

Your activist fund will help you pay for another important thing you can do to prepare for unfortunate events – hiring an attorney. Depending on where you live, you may need to shop around for one who is open to representing cannabis activists. Developing a relationship with a legalization-friendly attorney will not only get some of your important legal questions answered, it will ensure that you have competent legal counsel to represent you – someone that understands your unique situation and can act as your advocate should you be arrested for your cannabis activism.

Conclusion

Whether you have a family or you don’t, you are the only person that can decide if cannabis activism is right for you and your lifestyle. Do your research, understand the risks that come with cannabis activism, and try to make an impact any way you can. Every legalization advocate has a role to play whether they realize it or not; by working together, we can keep peeling back the layers of the harms brought about by prohibition.

Doctor’s Orders

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Recommendations for Lower Risk Cannabis Use.

 

It is no secret that the medical community at large has been a little more than hesitant to widely proclaim the benefits of cannabis. In part, because smoking anything isn’t something doctors typically recommend and in part because cannabis companies don’t offer kickbacks to doctors for recommending it like pharmaceutical companies do. And to be fair, medical school doesn’t necessarily explore the endocannabinoid system so it isn’t something that doctors have a lot of educated information on. But a group of doctors recently reviewed and updated evidence of health risks associated with cannabis use. They did so in an effort to establish a set of guidelines intended to lower the risk of experiencing negative health consequences.

 

It can’t be easy for a physician to go against the health establishment by not categorically declaring that marijuana is bad. But these physicians have recognized that nay-saying cannabis entirely, and not giving the public concise instruction on how to best protect themselves against health issues they may encounter from using marijuana, is not helping anyone, least of all younger users of cannabis.

 

In their quest for best practices in cannabis use they studied existing scientific evidence and discovered a few key things. After taking into account a plethora of studies done on cannabis use, the medical professionals conducting the analysis found that well-informed behavioral modifications by cannabis users can “substantially” reduce adverse health effects they may struggle with. The group believes that their 10 recommendations for reducing risk related to cannabis use can broadly benefit the population where cannabis use and legalization are prevalent.

 

 

 

So what are the behavioral changes that should be addressed in order to “best” use marijuana?

 

  • “The most effective way to avoid cannabis use–related health risks is abstinence”

 

Well, that is a big “no kidding.” If you don’t use cannabis, you can’t develop any health issues related to using it. So, while it is the most obvious of the changes a cannabis user can make, it is probably the least helpful for current marijuana users who are looking for ways to partake in a more healthy manner. “Just Say No” wasn’t helpful in the 80’s and it’s not particularly helpful now.

 

  • “Avoid early age initiation of cannabis use (i.e., definitively before the age of 16 years)”

 

Researchers also found that usage before the age of 16 can negatively impact one’s health long-term. If beginning marijuana use of after the age of 16, risk factors went down.

 

  • “Choose low-potency tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or balanced THC-to-cannabidiol (CBD)–ratio cannabis products”

 

This might have something to do with the psychoactive results produced by THC, and that in some studies THC has been heavily associated with an early onset of schizophrenia. Other studies, however, refute that data.

 

  • “Abstain from using synthetic cannabinoids”

 

Lay off the “spice” or the “K2” or whatever wacky name they are calling synthetic weed in your community. These tiny packets of NOT WEED are actually just a mix of chemicals and compounds designed to produce an extreme, though often short lived, high. Recently, a New York City driver high on a synthetic cannabis blend took to the sidewalk in his vehicle, killing one young lady and injuring 22 pedestrians.

  • “Avoid combusted cannabis inhalation and give preference to nonsmoking use methods”

 

This is a fairly obvious recommendation. As mentioned before, smoking anything is typically regarded as an unhealthy and unsafe choice for your body.

 

  • “Avoid deep or other risky inhalation practices”

 

Hmmm…so holding smoke in your lungs and coughing on purpose afterwards because you think it is going to get you more stoned…NOT a good tactic. Science tell us that all the relevant compounds inhaled when consuming cannabis are absorbed in the lungs within a few seconds. So if you are holding your smoke, you are doing so for pretty much no reason at all.

 

  • “Avoid high-frequency (e.g., daily or near-daily) cannabis use”

 

Easier said than done, am I right? Obviously, using less cannabis is going to be less risky.

 

  • “Abstain from cannabis-impaired driving”

 

Jury is still out on this one. Like the linkage to earlier onset schizophrenia, whether or not driving under the influence of cannabis is going to increase your odds of an accident is still being debated. However, one could argue that driving under the influence of any mind/body altering substance is likely more risky than driving totally sober.

 

  • “Populations at higher risk for cannabis use–related health problems should avoid use altogether”

 

I’m not 100% sure what populations are at higher risk for cannabis use related problems. Arguments about whether or not combusting cannabis can lead to mouth cancer or lung cancer are still being heard and is something cannabis advocates will deny and cannabis naysayers rely on as a crutch saying, “it causes cancer.” I guess if you’ve got a history of addiction or addictive tendencies, these doctors think it might be wise to just…get high on life?

 

  • “Avoid combining previously mentioned risk behaviors (e.g., early initiation and high-frequency use)”

 

Doesn’t this go without saying? If doing one of the behaviors is bad, doing them in combination would OBVIOUSLY be bad…right? But I guess 10 guidelines sounds better than 9.

 

According to the researchers who compiled the report, following these 10 recommendations can make a difference in your health. While there are no real revelations in this information, it is nice that a group of doctors took the initiative to review the historical data and compile what they found to be the most useful bits. Take it as you will, friends.

 

Patrulla de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos

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Nuestro mejor consejo al tratar con la Patrulla de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos

En años recientes, Colorado se ha vuelto la nueva frontera y líder en la Marihuana de recreacional legal y con ello también se ha vuelto un destino crecientemente más atractivo no solo para entusiastas del Cannabis, sino también para viajeros que simplemente buscan experimentar una cultura  emergente que es única en nuestro mundo. Mientras que la mayoría de nuestros huéspedes son ciudadanos estadounidenses, hemos visto un aumento en extranjeros de todo el mundo. Tenemos algunos consejos para nuestros clientes internacionales para que mantengan su entrada y salida de los buenos viejos Estados Unidos de América tan libre de problemas como sea posible.

Entrando a los Estados Unidos

Una vez en suelo estadounidense, tendrá que pasar por Aduanas de Estados Unidos, donde se le harán preguntas acerca de la finalidad y la duración de su estancia aquí, y también declarar los artículos que haya traído con usted. El propósito de estas preguntas es para determinar si usted es o no admisible en los Estados Unidos. Mientras que el cannabis es legal para la compra y el uso recreativo aquí en Colorado, por el gobierno federal aun es previsto como una sustancia controlada de la Lista 1.

Al admitir a un funcionario de aduanas cualquier uso anterior de la marihuana es motivo para ser considerado inadmisible en los Estados Unidos. Así que el decirles que el propósito de su viaje es consumir el cannabis no es recomendable.

Otra cosa a considerar es que es posible que tenga que presentar prueba de alojamiento durante su estancia. Al reservar sus vacaciones 420, infórmele a uno de nuestros agentes de viajes que usted necesita una prueba de alojamiento que no tenga marca de nosotros. Estaremos encantados de proporcionarle documentos que no mencionan el cannabis, 420 servicios amigables y alojamiento.

Es legal que un agente de aduanas revise su teléfono y ordenador sin una orden judicial. Elimine sus imágenes y bloquee el teléfono con una contraseña. También asegúrese de que usted no tenga mensajes de medios sociales visible para el público.

Mientras que está aquí.

Mantenga su pasaporte con usted en todo momento. Para entrar en un dispensario y realizar una compra, se requiere un documento de identidad válido. Si usted no es un ciudadano de Estados Unidos, se recomienda que usted lleve su pasaporte con usted en todo momento. No se preocupe, los dispensarios no registran ni almacenan su información, simplemente comprobaran su identificación para asegurarse de que es legal venderle a usted y el MED (Marijuana Enforcement Division / División de la Implementación de la Marihuana) requiere sólo que acepten ciertas formas de identificación válidas emitidas por el gobierno. Para los visitantes de fuera del país, este requisito pasa a ser su pasaporte.

¿No es la honestidad es la mejor política?

No. Bueno, depende. En este caso, probablemente no. Los agentes de aduanas están autorizados a usar su discreción, pero si usted es considerado inadmisible el proceso para obtener una exoneración es largo, difícil y costoso. Permanezca tranquilo, educado y casual, y no ofrezca información. Responda con cuidado sólo a lo que se le pide, y no admita el haber usado o de tener cualquier implicación con el Cannabis, bajo ninguna circunstancia.

Ya sea que se consume legalmente o no, esta contradicción en el estado frente a la ley federal significa que una admisión por un extranjero de haber consumido cannabis se considera una admisión de haber cometido un delito de sustancias controladas en los ojos de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos.

Resumen

La política actual está siendo desafiada, pero la ley de inmigración es notoriamente lenta y difícil de cambiar.

Canadá está presionando a Estados Unidos a revisar la política actual de impedir la entrada a los Estados Unidos, ya que es probable que vayan a permitir la marihuana recreativa en todo el país. Mientras que nuestras leyes están tratando de ponerse en marcha, lo mejor es evitar problemas en primer lugar.

Dealing With US Customs and Border Patrol

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In recent years, Colorado has become the new frontier and leader in legal recreational Marijuana and with that has also become an increasingly more attractive a destination not only for Cannabis enthusiasts, but also for travelers that are simply seeking to experience an emerging culture that is unique to our world. While most of our guests are US citizens, we have seen an increase in foreign nationals from around the world. We have some advice for our international guests on dealing with US Customs and Border Patrol in order to keep your entry and exit from the good ol’ US of A as hassle free as possible.

Entering the US

Once on US soil, you’ll need to go through US Customs, where you will be asked questions about the purpose and length of your stay here, and also to declare any items you may have brought with you. The purpose of these questions is to determine whether or not you are admissible to the United States. While Cannabis is legal for recreational purchase and use here in Colorado, federally it’s still scheduled as a schedule 1 controlled substance.

Admitting to a customs officer any prior use of marijuana is grounds to be deemed inadmissible to the US. So telling them that the purpose of your trip is to consume cannabis is not recommended.

Another thing to consider is that you may also need to present proof of lodging during your stay. When booking your 420 vacation, let one of our travel agents know that you need non-branded proof of accommodation from us. We will be happy to provide you with documents that do not mention cannabis, 420-friendly services and lodging.

It is legal for a customs agent to search your phone and computer without a warrant. Delete your pictures and lock your phone with a passcode. Also make sure that you do not make social media posts viewable to the public.

While you’re here

To enter a dispensary and make a purchase, a valid ID is required. If you are not a US citizen, it is recommended for you to carry your passport with you at all times. Don’t worry, dispensaries do not record or store your information, they simply check your ID to make sure it is legal to sell to you and the MED (Marijuana Enforcement Division) requires them to only accept certain government issued forms of valid ID. For visitors from outside the country, this requirement just so happens to be your passport.

Isn’t honesty the best policy?

No. Well, it depends. In this instance, probably not.  Customs agents are allowed to use their discretion, but if you are deemed inadmissible the process to get a waiver is lengthy, difficult and expensive. Stay quiet, polite and casual, and do not volunteer information. Carefully respond only to what you are being asked, and do not admit to ever using or having any involvement in Cannabis, under any circumstances.

Whether it was consumed legally or not, this contradiction in state vs federal law means that an admission by a citizen or foreigner of having consumed cannabis is considered an admission to committing a controlled substance offense in the eyes of United States Customs and Border Patrol.

Summary

The current policy is being challenged, but immigration law is notoriously slow and difficult to change.

Canada is pressing US to review current the policy to bar entry to the US, because they are likely going to allow recreational pot nationwide. While our laws are playing catch-up, it’s best to avoid trouble in the first place.

 

Why choose a 420-friendly hotel?

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BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT YOU DID AND YOU WILL BE FINED FOR IT

It’s not your fault the smoke detector is screeching; somebody had to consume all this legal cannabis. The noisy device is onto you, though. It knows what you did. So you call the front desk.

“The…smoke detector…it seems to be going off,” you say to the annoyed front desk attendant, even though it is most definitely going off. The only question is: how is your friend sleeping through it? It is so loud. “I’m not sure why…”

They’re sending someone up. Quick, wave that magazine back and forth below the flashing light! Is this helping? What about the smell? Burn a bag of popcorn, you remember reading. But you don’t have any popcorn and this tiny room doesn’t have a microwave. The windows won’t open and there’s no fan. Scented candles do nothing.

Somehow the alarm stops just before you hear the knock. On the other side of the door stands an exhausted man from hotel security, obviously tired of these kinds of calls.

“Hi…sorry…I think we got it under control…it must have been the candles…” The look he returns lets you know that he, just like the smoke detector, is onto your bullshit.

“Sir, that is marijuana smoke. I could have you evicted, but I won’t do that. There is a penalty for smoking in the room. We’re going to add it to your bill. And no. More. Smoking.” You can tell he’s given this speech before. You thank him profusely. He nods and walks away, sure he’ll have to do the same thing a few more times this week. Because even though cannabis is legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and D.C., this is NOT a 420-friendly hotel.

They just happened to have free cookies. They give them to every guest. Even the ones who aren’t cool like you.

LEGAL, AT A COST

Still, what a time to be alive. The cops aren’t on their way, and security didn’t kick you out into the street in the middle of the night. Your friend never even woke up, so maybe she won’t notice the $250 fine. It’ll be a funny story to tell. You try to convince yourself of all these things so you can get some sleep. They stop serving free breakfast at 8 AM.

The penalty for smoking in your room doesn’t bother your friend. She thinks it’s kind of humorous, and since it was you who got caught it’s not like she has to pay. What does bother her, though, is that in your panic you flushed the cannabis down the toilet and now you need more. Of course, you’re both way too paranoid to ask anyone at the hotel for recommendations.

420-FRIENDLY HOTELS FOR THE CANNABIS CONNOISSEUR

Does it have to be this way? Absolutely not! Cannabis connoisseurs, you have options! For less than you’d pay in fines for a basic room on the outskirts of the city, Colorado Cannabis Tours can set up you with a luxury suite in a trendy hotel, centrally located in a classy part of town.

This is the first trip you’ve ever taken to a place where cannabis is legal, so why not treat yourself? You deserve the kind of accommodation that has made-to-order breakfast, not cold eggs. Instead of enduring the disapproving looks of security and front desk staff, you should be staying at a hotel whose concierge can direct you toward more cannabis and will be happy to rent you a vaporizer to use in your tastefully furnished room.

Traveling is stressful, and plane rides are bad for your back. If you book a luxury 420-friendly hotel, you can have an in-room, cannabis-infused massage before heading down to the milk and cookies happy hour in the gorgeous lobby. You’ll chat with likeminded tourists, swapping stories and weed, and perhaps sip a glass of wine or a custom cocktail in the renowned bistro bar. Then you can venture just steps out the door to the 16th Street Mall, where a free shuttle bus will take you to Denver’s finest restaurants, shops, and nightlife.

Isn’t that a better way to appreciate the freedom of legal pot? Doesn’t that sound more like a vacation?

YOU DESERVE BETTER

Don’t be too hard on yourself. You didn’t fully understand the law. You thought you could have your cannabis anywhere you wanted. But now you know better. Next time, you’ll let Colorado Cannabis Tours take care of you. They’ve done the research and have developed relationships with the country’s best 420-friendly hotels. Which means you’ll be able to relax and enjoy everything you came to experience. No more lying to security for you. You’re a responsible cannabis consumer with refined tastes, and you deserve better.

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