Federal Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents are seizing legal cannabis products in New Mexico during product shipments from the southern to northern parts of the state KFOX14/CBS4 reports. The seizures, which the CPB says are legal under federal law, have been occurring for months.
“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.” — CBP in a statement via KFOX14/CBS4
Ryan Strand, owner of Smokey Roads Farms in the Las Cruces area, said his company has “lost about $20,000 worth of product” in the CPB seizures. His farm is located south of CPB checkpoints.
In a phone call leaked earlier this month, outlined by KOB4, Gov. Lujan Grisham (D) said she was “frustrated” by the CPB seizures and that she has expressed those concerns to Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas. A spokesperson for Grisham told KOB4 that the recorded conversation was with “a high-level administration official” but did not name the individual.
“Either we have to adjust it, or we have to send you a letter saying you’re persecuting a state. You are not using your discretion,” she said in the recorded call. “You’re not working with me on immigration.”
Grisham’s spokesperson said that “Sec. Mayorkas assured the governor that federal policies with respect to legalized cannabis have not changed.”
It’s estimated that CPB has so far seized at least $370,000 in cannabis products from licensed cannabis companies.
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