Even after weed is legal in Minnesota, there are still many limits to buying it
MINNEAPOLIS – Aug. 1 means big changes in Minnesota. Beginning Tuesday, it will be legal for adults to possess and use cannabis.
You must be 21 or older, 2 ounces of weed will be allowed in public, you can have up to 2 pounds at home and the ability to grow eight plants.
RELATED: Recreational weed becomes legal in Minnesota on Aug. 1: What to know
"Unfortunately, there's nowhere to buy it right now" said Jason Tarasek, counsel for Vicente LLP, a cannabis law firm.
However, Red Lake Nation is the only place selling cannabis on Aug. 1. As sovereign territories, tribes follow different rules from the rest of the state.
"I expect we may see some people traveling up there to get product," Tarasek said.
Minnesota is the 23rd state to legalize adult-use cannabis. While you wait to purchase cannabis in Minnesota, you cannot order it from another state and have it shipped to you.
"You can't cross the border, then that implicates the federal government's jurisdiction and they will probably fine you and may charge you criminally for such activity," Tarasek said.
RELATED: Seeds to grow weed available for sale starting Aug. 1, when recreational marijuana is legal
Another thing to be aware of, many large credit card companies are cutting ties with cannabis.
Mastercard was the latest company to do so, saying in a statement to WCCO: "Our rules require our customers to conduct lawful activity where they are licensed to use our brands. The federal government considers cannabis sales illegal, so these purchases are not allowed on our systems."
"There are plenty of third party payment processing services that would allow customers to use debit cards for the transaction. When all else fails, yes, cash is king and that'll do the trick, but there are ways around it as well," Tarasek said.
Cannabis sales are expected statewide by early 2025.
