US travel with a Canadian cannabis DUI record: Cannabis impaired driving charges can prevent you from travelling to the USA for life.

US Customs can see if you have been arrested for a cannabis DUI in the CPIC database and then use this information to deny you entry and (sometimes) ban you from the US permanently.

If you get charged with a cannabis related DUI/DWI in Canada all of the biometric and charge information taken by the police is uploaded to the RCMP CPIC database which is fully accessible by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Since driving prohibitions are often imposed this information is also attached to your license plate and driver’s license. US CBP also has access to the Ontario MOT database.

This means that US Customs will always have the ability to see any cannabis DUI related charges and may be alerted to it upfront upon scanning your license plate, NEXUS card or passport.

While any criminal charge can cause problems for those wanting to travel to the US, cannabis related DUI charges are classified as drug offences, which are treated more harshly (often an automatic ban on travel). The US has long denied entry to and banned travel for non-US citizens with convictions for drug related crimes. It is much worse to have a cannabis related DUI than an alcohol one in terms of crossing the border.

Cannabis is still illegal under US federal law, even if rescheduled to a lower classification. As of 2026, US CBP still views cannabis as a drug they can deny and ban for.

It does not matter that cannabis may be legal in the particular state you were travelling to. If US Customs becomes aware that you are (or were) a cannabis user they may deny you entry and ban you from future travel for that reason alone. If the traveler has a history of using cannabis and breaking the law by driving while impaired this makes the chances of them being denied much higher.

If you are charged with or admit to cannabis impaired driving you can be banned from entering the US for life. The good news is being charged by the police does not make you guilty or mean that you will ultimately be convicted. Many cases are based solely on an officer’s subjective opinion evidence and a urine sample that does not prove impairment. Even if the police took blood samples which were above the 2 ng/ml legal limit there are still ways to beat cannabis DUI charges in court.

Countries other than the USA may also deny entry to Canadian travellers with cannabis related impaired driving records.

It is not just the USA that denies Canadian tourists for prior cannabis related DUI convictions. Cannabis remains illegal in other popular tourist destinations that Canada shares its police databases with such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Many countries in Europe such as France also have very strict prohibitions against cannabis. When you get charged with, or admit to, any drug related offence the consequences can reach far beyond Canada’s borders.

You don't have to jeopardize your future or waste thousands of dollars on excessive legal fees. We provide effective and affordable lawyer representation for those charged with impaired driving throughout all of Ontario, Canada.

Have a skilled criminal lawyer who focuses on defending DUI charges protect you and your future from the consequences of a criminal record.




Are you a lawyer? If you are defending a impaired driving related case and are looking for expert advice regarding possible defences, case strategies, and information release management call us at: 647-228-5969.

Please note: We do not accept legal aid certificate cases. All clients are handled on a private retainer only.

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