Federal Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents are reportedly seizing legal cannabis products in New Mexico during shipments from the southern to northern parts of the state, according to KFOX14/CBS4. The seizures, occurring for months, are deemed legal under federal law by CBP, despite cannabis being legalized in some U.S. states and Canada.
CBP stated, “Although medical and recreational marijuana may be legal in some U.S. States and Canada, the sale, possession, production, and distribution of marijuana or the facilitation of the aforementioned remain illegal under U.S. federal law … arriving at a U.S. port of entry, or at a Border Patrol checkpoint may be deemed inadmissible and/or subject to seizure, fines, and/or arrest.”
Ryan Strand, owner of Smokey Roads Farms, expressed concern over the seizures, stating his company has lost around $20,000 worth of product. Governor Lujan Grisham (D) voiced frustration over the seizures in a leaked phone call, mentioning concerns to Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. Mayorkas reportedly assured Grisham that federal policies on legalized cannabis remain unchanged.
Despite state-level legalization efforts, CPB has seized an estimated $370,000 worth of cannabis products from licensed companies.
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