Posted: Nov 12, 2007 08:41 AM MST
Strong Canadian dollar effecting legal and illegal trade in Montana
The Canadian dollar is worth six cents more in the U.S. dollar and many of our northern neighbors are traveling south to cash in on the savings.
Officials report that crossings into Montana at the Port of Sweet Grass, north of Shelby, are up almost 9% and say the increased traffic is largely due to Canadian shoppers.
While there's no definite system to track sales to Canadians merchants say that shoppers are most attracted to big-ticket items like cars and equipment. The market though is mostly for used items because many U.S. manufacturers prohibit sales to Canada to protect their Canadian dealers.
That strong Canadian dollar has at least one consequence, and Montana law enforcement officials aren't complaining.
According to the University of Vancouver the Canadian dollar has made smuggling marijuana into the U.S. From Canada less profitable as the strong Canadian dollar is practically making smuggling profits disappear.
A university study predicts things will get worse before they get better for those on both sides of the illegal industry, because without exports Canada's pot crop will swamp the domestic market and prices will plummet.
http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=7346881
