Law enforcement officials in western Wisconsin are taking a wait-and-see approach to potential marijuana trafficking through the state as Minnesota is set to legalize recreational use of the drug Aug 1.
When the new Minnesota law takes effect, adults age 21 and up will be able to possess and transport up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis and edible products with up to 800 milligrams of THC. Minnesota residents also are allowed to possess up to 2 pounds of pot at their homes.
The Minnesota law will mean marijuana is legal in all states bordering Wisconsin except Iowa. For the first time, it will be legal across Wisconsin’s western border.
Possession, use or sale of marijuana remains illegal in Wisconsin.
Buffalo County Sheriff Michael Osmond said the impact of Minnesota’s legalization on his county is unknown.
“I trust that the folks over in Minnesota will know that it’s illegal over here, and they’ll just stay over and keep all the products over there,” Osmond said. “There’s certainly potential, but I’m just hoping for the best and that people know it’s still illegal over here and we’re going to enforce the law.”
Buffalo County is one of the few Wisconsin counties on the Mississippi River with two bridges going into Minnesota. Osmond said the bridges are the two busiest points for traffic in the county.
“We’re not going to do anything different than the last 17 years I’ve been here,” Osmond…
