US To Deny Citizenship For Immigrants That Have Ties To Marijuana Industry, Even In States Where It’s Legal

CBS News reports:



As people around the country mark 4/20 — the unofficial holiday celebrating marijuana — U.S. officials have released new guidance around marijuana for immigrants hoping to earn U.S. citizenship. Officials said Friday that immigrants involved with cannabis in any way — even in states where it has been legalized — could disqualify them from naturalization.

New guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — which issues green cards and citizenship — says immigrants involved in “marijuana-related activities” could be found to lack good moral character, which is required to gain citizenship. “Activities” include the possession, manufacturing, distribution or dispensing of cannabis, regardless of state laws.