The BC Government Employees Union says it is very concerned about its members who will work in legal marijuana stores running into serious trouble at the U.S. border.
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith says the union is advising its members who are considering moving from alcohol to cannabis and any new candidates what the dangers are so they are informed about potential border headaches.
But ultimately Smith says this is an issue beyond the union’s ability to resolve.
“We are concerned about this too, and we’ve actually had conversations with both the employer and our provincial government about our concerns around this issue. Certainly, we agree with Minister Farnworth that the federal government definitely has a role to play here. This is a government to government issue unfortunately, and sort of outside of the scope of labour relations.”
Will B.C. Government employees in the legal cannabis sector have to risk getting caught in a lie trying to cross the border?
“Certainly we don’t encourage anyone to not tell the truth. We just don’t think it’s right that somebody who works in a legal system here in Canada, who has chosen to be a part of socially responsible sales of recreational cannabis, and in fact, is in a government job, should be punished for doing their work.”
U.S. Border officials have signaled even people who will work in the legal cannabis business in Canada could be detained and face a lifetime ban from entering the States.