When Federal and State Cannabis Laws Collide: Border Patrol Arrests in Maine

You might think Border Patrol only operates at actual border crossings with Canada, but their reach extends much further. By law, Border Patrol has authority within 100 miles of any international border or coastline. This 100-mile zone covers the entire state of Maine. With 611 miles of Canadian border and 228 miles of Atlantic coastline, there's nowhere in Maine that's outside Border Patrol's jurisdiction. This means federal agents can — and do — enforce federal cannabis laws anywhere in the state, regardless of what Maine state law allows.