border crossing

[headdoctor]

I've seen many threads about flying with vapes, etc, but I can't find an answer to my question. Is it legal to bring a vape from the US into Canada, driving across the border?; and then is it legal to bring it back into the US? Let's assume that it is as clean as possible, and obviously empty of any loose materials. I'm not looking for advice on how to cross the border, how to conceal it, etc. In fact, quite the opposite; I don't want to hide it. I want to know, if anyone is absolutely confident of the law, whether I can relax if they open my bag and find my vape. Can I just say, "it's a vape," and assume that I'm good to go?

 

[CarolKing]

The Airlines has banned ecigs from the checked baggage. That would be vaporizers too. Just make sure your vaporizer is clean. I don't know if there is a for sure answer for this. Try looking on the thread vapes on planes. Many FCers have traveled on planes with their vaporizers.

 

[headdoctor]

Thanks. I don't think I was being clear. I'm not going to be flying, but driving. As in: pulling up to the booth, showing my passport, and answering questions. US to Canada and back. I'm wondering if it's legal, A-OK, kosher, to cross the border with a (clean) vape. As in, could I have it sitting on the seat next to me. No contraband in the car.

 

[Canuck420]

I wouldn't recommend it, they can literally take your car apart looking for contraband on any basis of suspicion...

 

[CarolKing]

I wouldn't recommend it either, actually going over the boarder. Buy a new vaporizer when you get to your destination and play it safe. Why would you even want to risk it? It's not worth it.

 

[headdoctor]

If there's any risk, then I wouldn't do it! That's why I'm asking about the legality. And, to the clear, there wouldn't be anything for them to find in the car. My question is simply: is it illegal to own a vaporizer in the US, illegal to own one in Canada, and/or illegal to transport one over the border. If so, then every purchase of a vaporizer from a Canadian retailer is illegal--and not something I would do.

 

[Kaptan]

Vaporizers are not illegal in both Canada and US, however as has been mentioned, it would most likely raise suspicion.

 

[Amoreena]

@headdoctor - Suggest you do Google search for "take vaporizer USA Canada border." Folks have discussed what you want to know.

 

[headdoctor]

Vaporizers are not illegal in both Canada and US, however as has been mentioned, it would most likely raise suspicion.

Right. I don't mean to go in circles, but if there's nothing to be suspicious of, then it's okay? People seem to be saying that I might be searched. I don't want to go through that, but there wouldn't be anything to find.

And thanks, Amoreena. I did search this forum but couldn't find what I was looking for. I found a lot of discussions about flying, etc. If there's a specific thread out here about driving across the border with no contraband and a vape, let me know!!

 

[sativasam]

A vaporiser in and of itself is totally legal. It can be used to vape any herb such as tobacco or mint.

BUT weed is illegal.

If you have used your vape then the traces of resin from vapour or tiny particles that for e.g may fall through a screen into the workings of the unit that are impossible to clean pose a risk. Although small, a used unit likely contains traces of cannabis.

This is the only problem. And depending on the country or situation one might care more or less about this. In Europe by car I wouldn't really care. I'd make sure it didn't stink like weed.

I guess it depends on what vape you are using. With a Mighty you can just buy a new cooling unit and clean the oven before travel. Even if there was small bits of ABV that had fallen in the unit I can hardly see them taking it apart unless it stunk of Mary Jane. I would say it was for tobacco if I was stopped with it. If this seemed to risky I'd buy a cheap MFLB or Lotus as a throw away.

 

[killick]

I've done it a bunch of times. No issues. But then again I'm not trying to smuggle anything, just bring a personal item across the border and back again.

If you are really concerned about it, buy one when you get there, and gift it to someone nice.

Again, just cause some of us are dumb enough to do it doesn't mean you won't wind up on an episode of 'Border Security', where they fine people for bringing money across the border...

 

[CarolKing]

Right now going across a boarder like Canada and Mexico might be dicey with all the security due to terrorists. My Solo might look like a damn bomb.

 

[Amoreena]

... And thanks, Amoreena. I did search this forum ...

You're welcome. I actually suggested a broader search than just this site but whatever you're comfortable with is best.

 

[MeesterWood]

Weigh out the positives and negatives, and it's obviously not worth it. If you're a worry-wart like me, it's not worth it for that alone. That's doesn't even take into account what happens if you get caught.

If it's medically a necessity then camel up right before the plane ride and mail yourself a couple different small packages with a disposable piece. Comedy option: find some where you're going. It's always an adventure asking strangers for help.

 

[AJS]

He hasn't asked once if it's smart. he hasn't asked if it's a good idea. He just wants to know if a clean vape is legal if it doesn't have any amount of thc.

I know a vape is legal in both countries, I do not know if a transport of vape is legal through the border (I can't imagine it would be illegal). They can take your entire car apart, won't matter, who cares as long as they put it back together, right...You can be vaping Mint if you want, blow it in their face, and they shouldn't be able to do anything except maybe get you on grounds of disrespecting police or something, idk.
If I find out specifics about the border laws I will let you know. Sorry for all the circles.

 

[killick]

A friend is a long distance trucker. One day he decided to get a crossbow for plinking when bored. He bought it in WA, and the border guys said 'no problem bringing this back and forth from Canada to the US. A few months later and buddy is going into Michigan. They ask if he has any firearms, and thinking it was funny said 'well, I do have a crossbow'. He almost lost his permit - to bring a crossbow into Michigan the string has to be removed. Not so in Wa, so each state has their own foibles. Coming into Canada it's all Fed laws so thats not really an issue...

Vapes can't possibly be more difficult than a crossbow, surely

 

[headdoctor]

He hasn't asked once if it's smart. he hasn't asked if it's a good idea. He just wants to know if a clean vape is legal if it doesn't have any amount of thc.

I know a vape is legal in both countries, I do not know if a transport of vape is legal through the border (I can't imagine it would be illegal). They can take your entire car apart, won't matter, who cares as long as they put it back together, right...You can be vaping Mint if you want, blow it in their face, and they shouldn't be able to do anything except maybe get you on grounds of disrespecting police or something, idk.
If I find out specifics about the border laws I will let you know. Sorry for all the circles.

Exactly!
And thanks to others such as sativisam for helpful responses.

 

[sativasam]

Exactly!
And thanks to others such as sativisam for helpful responses.

I think the point people are trying to make is that even if your device is brand new, you run the risk of being searched on the basis that you have a device used for the consumption of cannabis. Saying this; if the unit it brand new then they can not take the device from you. So in my opinion, no worries with a new unit, apart from the slim chance of a jobs worth giving you a thorough search.

If the unit has been used then there is theoretically a chance of getting searched - having the unit taken away - and even drug charges. It is a risk you will have to judge for yourself based on the situation at hand and the look, smell, of the unit.

Obviously if you are carrying weed in the car with you then this is a different question such as: "is it safe to smuggle cannabis across the US border into Canada" - the answer to that being no it is not 'safe'. Some might argue that bringing a used unit with traces or residue of cannabis is no different from smuggling larger amounts of product. This is where the risk lies. It is your call to decide.

But as confirmed. A brand new vape is totally legal.

 

[CarolKing]

If it is a used unit you are asking unwanted attention. For me I'm a worrier so it wouldn't be worth it for myself to risk anything. I haven't gone across either boarder lately, maybe others have.

A brand new vaporizer in the box maybe would be safer. You may need to explain what your unit is for and you could say tobacco. A large vaporizer would be hard for someone to understand it would be for tobacco IMO. I guess if it was an ecig style vaporizer it wouldn't be something that would be noticeable.