LEGAL USE OF MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL UNDER US IMMIGRATION LAWS

When I was at Miami Airport, I was pulled aside by an immigration official, and they asked me a couple of questions. I can’t remember what they were because everything was a haze. I was freaking out because I was going to miss my connecting flight. They then questioned me in another room and asked for my password to my electronic devices. I gave it to them, and they came back with two officers this time, stating that it looked like I was a drug user.
I denied this because I’m not a drug user, but the officer asked me, “Have you ever taken marijuana?” I said yes because it’s legal in the state where I took it. Next thing I know, the officer canceled my visa, got me to sign a sworn statement, and sent me packing. I was in shock.
I decided not to go to the consulate based on my experience at the airport. Instead, after speaking with Caro, she explained that even though marijuana use was legal in the State where I took it, immigration follows federal law, and federal law ignores state law. So, just because the state says it’s legal to smoke marijuana, federal law and immigration law does not. Therefore, I had a huge problem, and she advised me that I needed a non-immigrant visa waiver to overcome.
She went through the entire process and explained that the officer at the consulate wouldn’t be adjudicating the temporary waiver, their role was to act as the middle person between me and Washington as this is where the waiver would be adjudicated. I went to the consulate, and the consular officer was actually really helpful, I have to say. I had a police certificate that states I had no past arrests and convictions. He took the waiver from me, and about five months later, the consulate contacted me to say the waiver was approved.
The petition that Caro put together for the waiver explained my circumstances and how denying me entry to the United States would affect my relationship with my child, who was born in the United States. I have since separated from the mother of my child, and Caro told me all the evidence I needed because I have a very close relationship with my child. I can’t thank her enough because the waiver was approved, my visa is approved, and my past is forgiven. Admissions of a crime I have learned are the same as being convicted of that crime.