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“Lying results in a lifetime ban. Saying you smoked marijuana is a lifetime ban . . . so what do you do? You just don’t answer that question,” Saunders said, adding agents can’t force Canadians to respond.

“I’m not telling people they should lie. I’m telling people what rights they have.”

American border agents started asking Canadians the question more frequently in 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to lift the prohibition on recreational cannabis, Saunders said.

Even though pot is legal in nine states and the District of Columbia, the drug remains illegal federally, leaving border agents without any wiggle room.

“Their job is to enforce federal immigration laws,” Saunders said.

The Canadian government now warns travellers on its website that past drug use, including marijuana, could get you denied at the border.

“Previous use of cannabis, or any substance prohibited by U.S. federal laws, could mean that you are denied entry to the U.S. Involvement in the legal cannabis industry in Canada could also result in your being denied entry,” the government says.

It also warns Canadians not to try to cross the border with cannabis, even if they’re travelling to a state where it’s allowed.

Pardon my pot charge, please?

Past marijuana possession charges will continue to haunt Canadians even after the drug becomes legal in the fall.

The federal Liberals shot down calls for the government to begin pardoning citizens with minor pot convictions – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the idea “illogical” – but committed to looking at the issue after Oct. 17, when it will be legal for Canadians to grow and possess marijuana.