REGIONAL- While recreational cannabis is now legal in Minnesota, outdoor recreationists should be aware that the change in law does not apply to federal lands within the Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or Voyageurs National Park.
As federally owned properties, federal law regarding marijuana takes precedence over state law, and cannabis is still illegal on the federal level.
“National forest lands are federally managed forests and are therefore regulated at the federal level, and cannabis use is not legal at the federal level. The recently passed state law, which allows recreational cannabis use, has no bearing on federal laws which continue to identify cannabis as a Schedule I illegal drug, and prohibit its use,” said an alert from Superior National Forest officials.
That prohibition pertains to all federally managed properties, including campgrounds and facilities. Users should be aware that edibles are illegal as well if they contain cannabis or THC. The alert also notes that there is no difference between smoking cannabis and using vape materials including THC.
Someone cited for possession of prohibited materials will have a mandatory appearance before a federal magistrate judge and if convicted on a first-time offense, will be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than one year and shall be fined a minimum of $1,000, or both.
Forest officials ask visitors to be mindful of National Forest System boundaries and to become familiar with relevant federal and state regulations prior to visiting the Superior National Forest. The forest and BWCAW both have areas where state lands are interspersed with federal and where federal law would not apply. Maps are available at Forest Service district offices and at Voyageurs National Park visitor centers. A number of map apps for smartphones also clearly identify federal lands.