Border Patrol Agents Brace for California’s Recreational Sales
United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents recently warned that cannabis possession is still prohibited at eight border patrol checkpoints in California. While California recognizes legal cannabis beginning on Jan. 1, 2018, border patrol agents answer to the federal government, which classifies cannabis as a controlled substance.
“Prior to Jan. 1, it’s going to be the same after Jan. 1, because nothing changed on our end,” said Ryan Yamasaki, an assistant chief of the Border Patrol’s San Diego sector. “If you’re a federal law enforcement agency, you uphold federal laws.”
About 40 percent of cannabis seizures at Border Patrol checkpoints between 2013 and 2016 were for simple personal possession of less than an ounce, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The checkpoints are located up to 100 miles from the Mexican-American border. They are considered the CPB’s last line of defense. The Border Patrol operates 34 permanent checkpoints along the border, plus 103 temporary tactical stops.
Attorney Michael Chernis believes that precious time is wasted looking for personal amounts of cannabis. “The bottom line is, there’s absolutely no protection against federal interaction when it comes to adult use,” Chernis told NBC San Diego.
Cannabis isn’t the only substance they are looking for. A bill that would arm the CBP with scanning devices to locate concealed opioids, the INTERDICT (International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology) Act, was recently passed in the U.S. House and Senate and awaits signature from President Donald Trump.
President Trump claimed earlier this year that a border wall “will stop much of the drugs from pouring into this country,” although the Drug Enforcement Administration has indicated that the bulk of drugs are smuggled in vehicle compartments or trailers.
One particular checkpoint on Interstate 5 between San Diego and Los Angeles is especially busy, frequently backing up four miles.
