In October 2018, recreational cannabis use became legal in Canada.  Now that the, ahem, smoke has cleared somewhat, our PrivacyRight podcast returns to take an in-depth look at the privacy implications of this landmark development. Specifically, we look at the impact of the change in legislation on Canadians crossing the border into the United States where cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. 

The PrivacyRight podcast is a fictionalized investigative report drawn from real cases from OIPC files and news headlines on some of the most pressing privacy concerns facing British Columbians today. 

In our latest episode, “Through the Haze,” our investigative reporter asks: “Have you ever thought about how any association with the cannabis industry, whether as a user or a worker, could affect your eligibility to enter the US?” 

The podcast unravels that thread and the result may surprise – and alarm – you: lifetime bans for admitting past cannabis use in Canada and even a “drug trafficker” label for an engineer developing equipment that could be used in the harvesting of the plant. Also learn what can go wrong when proper safeguards aren’t in place to protect the personal information of customers in this particularly sensitive area. 

“Through the haze” offers advice for both concerned travellers looking to cross the borders and businesses looking to strengthen their privacy practices as they venture into this largely uncharted territory . 

For more, check out the OIPC guidance document, Protecting personal information: cannabis transactions: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/guidance-documents/2248     

For more PrivacyRight resources, visit:  https://www.oipc.bc.ca/privacyright/