A woman in Southern California said U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied her entry into the Global Entry program because of issues surrounding her menstrual cycle.
Global Entry is a program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
Dina Lipof said she travels a lot for work and for pleasure. With a clean background and no criminal history, she said applying for the program made sense.
“It’ll help me get back into the country quicker. I’ll have my fingerprint and passport and I’m good to go,” she said.
She received an interview with CBP and they ran her through the system, but she was denied.
“I just stood there confused, why was I being denied for something I’m being honest about?” she said.
Lipof said she told them she uses a cannabidiol spray (CBD) that relieves her severe menstrual cramps and headaches. She said a doctor recommended it.
“He started making me feel like a heroin addict for taking CBD oil,” said Lipof.
CBD oil is legal in all 50 states. Lipof said she can only buy the brand she uses at a medical marijuana dispensary, where she has access to marijuana.
“He told me that the reason I was denied was because I have my recommendation and it's the intent to buy,” said Lipof.
She said the oil she uses is made from hemp – it doesn’t have THC and it cannot get you high.
She said she appealed the decision to Customs, but all she got back was a letter that said, ‘You don’t meet the requirements.’
10News in San Diego reached out to the agency and they said they simply can’t discuss specific cases.
“If you're going to deny people who have a recommendation, you need to have certain disclosures,” said Lipof.
She said she feels discriminated against – denied because of something she can’t control.
“That was what was the most upsetting, the fact that it’s a female issue,” she said.
According to an official with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there is currently no rule that said if you have a medical marijuana card you will be disqualified from the program.
