Good Advice: Warning For Immigrants: Marijuana Could Impact Your Immigration Status

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The National Law Review warns immigrants of the risks of any contact with the marijuana industry, even if the activities do not violate state law:

“As of July 2022, 38 states have legalized the medical use of cannabis to differing degrees. . . . Based on this, immigrants may believe using marijuana in a state that has legalized it will not hurt or impact their immigration status. Unfortunately, that is not the case, as marijuana remains a federally controlled substance. . . . For immigration matters, it is a federal law that controls, and it remains a federal offense to possess marijuana.. . . This discrepancy undoubtedly breeds confusion and uncertainty, and this post aims to shed light on the possible repercussions immigrants could face by using marijuana even in states where it has been legalized.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has taken the position that “lawful employment in the marijuana industry may defeat the good moral character necessary for naturalization.  Earlier this year, a federal court accepted the U.S. government’s position.

KJ