Jesse Ventura to boycott Minnesota State Fair over its marijuana policy

Jesse Ventura will not be attending this year's Minnesota State Fair due to its current policy on marijuana use.

The former Minnesota governor was interviewed by WCCO-AM's Chad Hartman on Monday in a conversation that ranged from his views on former president Donald Trump, his endorsement of the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz ticket, and his cannabis brand.

Ventura took advantage of the latter topic to share why he is protesting the State Fair this year.

"Why does the State Fair ban cannabis? The State Fair allows alcohol to be drunk on the fairgrounds," Ventura said. "You can go over there, get smashed on alcohol, go on a ride, and throw up all over everybody because you've been drinking. They have 18 designated smoking places for tobacco, and yet they have banned cannabis."

Minnesota legalized marijuana use in 2023 for adults over 21, becoming the 23rd state to do so, but in the wake of the drug's legalization, the Minnesota State Fair announced it would continue to ban its use on the fairgrounds.

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While it's now legal to possess and grow marijuana in Minnesota, the full rollout of retail sales isn't expected until 2025 at the earliest, with the only places currently offering retail sales in Minnesota found on tribal lands.

Ventura owns the cannabis brand Retro Bakery , which ships legal cannabis products nationwide, offering gummies, sweets, and traditional flower options. Ventura says that more cannabis users should protest the fair as well.

"I urge all cannabis users to make it known you're not going to the state fair either until they treat cannabis the same as they do alcohol," Ventura said.