Legal questions (Excerpt from The Wall Street Journal)
“Similar to going through an airport, all checked and carry-on luggage is screened during the boarding process before a cruise. Bags are put through X-ray scanners to prevent contraband from being brought on board.
When passengers are caught with cannabis products, they are rarely charged with any crime in the U.S., defense lawyers say. Passengers can face more risks when caught with a prohibited substance abroad. Tourists have faced jail time or hefty fines for having marijuana in places including the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Defense lawyers say cruise lines may have motivations beyond legal concerns in banning cannabis.
“I’m convinced that the decision to take such a hard line on marijuana or CBD is because they are trying to drive alcohol sales,” says Spencer Aronfeld, a Florida-based personal-injury attorney who handles cases related to cruise ships.
Multiple cruise lines have increased the cost of drink packages in recent years. The companies also enforce limits on how much alcohol passengers can bring on ships.
Chiames, the Carnival spokesman, dismissed the idea that these rules help boost cruise lines’ alcohol sales as nonsense. “That sounds like something someone would say when they’re high,” he said.”
