
Minnesota
Wisconsin
South Dakota
North Dakota
J.D., University of California - Hastings College of the Law
B.A., University of Wisconsin - Madison
Overview
Jason Tarasek is a partner at Vicente LLP and manages the firm's Minnesota office. He assists clients throughout the Upper Midwest. With more than 20 years of legal experience as a transactional attorney and litigator, he has handled hundreds of civil litigation matters and first-chaired several trials in state and federal courts. Recently, Jason recovered nearly $2 million for cannabis entrepreneurs who had been defrauded by potential investors.
As a cannabis policy advocate, Jason has spent many hours at the Minnesota State Capitol. In 2022, Jason successfully lobbied in favor of Minnesota’s “edible cannabinoid product” law, which sparked an explosion in the popularity of hemp-derived THC beverages throughout Minnesota and the United States. In 2023, he advocated for Minnesota’s passage of an adult-use cannabis bill. Today, Jason continues to strive for sensible policy as Minnesota implements its adult-use cannabis program while expanding its trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage industry.
Previously, Jason served as Minnesota Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, where he helped orchestrate the state’s first-ever legislative hearing on a cannabis legalization bill in 2019. He is a founding member of Sota Cann, Minnesota’s leading trade organization for cannabis businesses, and a former board member of the Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota.
Jason is a frequent speaker on legal issues related to cannabis and has served as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline Law School, where he co-taught a seminar titled “Marijuana and the Law.” He has been repeatedly named to the Super Lawyers list, an honor bestowed on only the top 5% of attorneys in Minnesota.
Jason received his J.D. from the University of California – Hastings College of the Law, and his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is admitted to the state bar associations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Experience
- Minnesota Cannabis Association, Board of Directors, 2019-2022
- Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota, Board of Directors, 2020-2022
- Youth sports coach (basketball and baseball)
Recognition
- Super Lawyers, Minnesota Cannabis Law, 2019-2025
- Named Twin Cities Business “100 to Watch” for 2023
Publications
Insights
- Co-author, "Minnesota Draft Cannabis Rules Provide Clarity on Licensed Cannabis Business Operations," January 23, 2025
- Author, "Minnesota Cannabis Licensing Opportunities in 2025," December 20, 2024
- Author, "Cannabis Presents Economic Opportunity for Tribal Nations," December 3, 2024
- Co-author, "Minnesota’s Proposed Cannabis Legislation Would Provide Early-Mover Licensing Opportunities for Social Equity Business Applicants," March 12, 2024
- Author, "Minnesota Cannabis Regulators Announce Plans to Launch Adult-Use Dispensaries by Summer 2024," February 2, 2024
- Author, "Minnesota Cannabis Grant Programs Aim to Help Entrepreneurs Succeed and Promote Social Equity," October 23, 2023
Events
- Speaker, Lucky Leaf Expo, "Minnesota: Land O' Cannabis & Hemp Opportunities ,” Minneapolis, February 28, 2025
- Speaker, WCCO Radio, "DeRUSHA DriveTime 2/18/2025 Live from Minnesota Twins Spring Training,” Online, February 19, 2025
- Speaker, WCCO Radio, "Interview: DriveTime with DeRusha,” Online, February 18, 2025
- Speaker, Cultivated Media, "Checking in on Minnesota's cannabis license lottery with Jason Tarasek,” Online, November 26, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota Cannabis College, "S2:E6 - MN In the National Conversation with Jason Tarasek, Marcus's T-Break, and Bachelorette Chats,” Online, October 22, 2024
- Speaker, Northern Lights Podcast, "MN In the National Conversation with Jason Tarasek, Marcus's T-Break, and Bachelorette Chats,” Online, October 18, 2024
- Speaker, Chad Hartman Podcast, "Why are cannabis regulations so different between MN and WI?,” Online, October 15, 2024
- Speaker, The Great Midwest Hemp Fest 2024, "The Cost-Benefits of Cannabis Legalization in Wisconsin,” Madison, September 29, 2024
- Speaker, Cultivated Media, "Minnesota Cannabis: Understanding the market today and tomorrow,” Online, September 12, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota CLE 2024 Cannabis Law Conference, "2024 Cannabis Legislative and Regulatory Update,” Online, July 31, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota CLE 2024 Cannabis Law Conference, "How to Start a Cannabis Business - The Process, Overview and Applying for Licenses, Social Equity Applicants, Opening a Dispensary and More!,” Online, July 31, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota CLE 2024 Cannabis Law Conference, "Everything You Need to Know About the Hemp Business in a Nutshell & Preparing Your Products for Regulatory Food and Safety Oversight,” Online, July 31, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota CLE 2024 Cannabis Law Conference, "Ask the Experts: Cannabis Open Forum for Q&A,” Online, July 31, 2024
- Speaker, Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club Women's Club, "Cannabis Law and Policy,” Minneapolis, June 12, 2024
- Speaker, Vicente LLP, "Minnesota Cannabis Business Licensing Opportunities and Updates to the Regulated Program,” Online, May 30, 2024
- Speaker, Lucky Leaf Expo Minnesota, "Budding Opportunities: Setting Up Your Cannabis Business in Minnesota,” Minneapolis, April 27, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA), "2024 MMBA Annual Conference,” Alexandria, April 21, 2024
- Speaker, Minnesota Festival and Events Association (MNFEA) 2024 Annual Conference, "The Legalization of Cannabis & Events,” St. Louis Park, March 22, 2024
- Speaker, 18th Annual Appellate Practice Institute, "What Appellate Attorneys Need to Know About Cannabis - Regulatory Framework, Issues on Appeals, Impact on Criminal Law and Expungements,” Minneapolis, February 23, 2024
- Speaker, 2024 Cannabis Law Update, "Cannabis Chronicles: Updates and Insights ,” Minneapolis, February 16, 2024
- Speaker, 2024 Cannabis Law Update, "Top 10 Questions to Ask a Cannabis Attorney,” Minneapolis, February 16, 2024
- Speaker, Vicente LLP Minnesota Hemp & Cannabis Seminar, "How to succeed in Minnesota’s current hemp-derived THC market while preparing for upcoming adult-use cannabis opportunities.,” Minneapolis, October 19, 2023
- Speaker, Annual Convention of the Wisconsin Land Title Association , "Cannabis around us –Wisconsin's neighbors are beginning to legalize cannabis. What does that mean for Wisconsin?,” Wisconsin, September 14, 2023
- Speaker, Ramsey County Law Library CLE, "Upcoming changes in the law with the Cannabis legalization,” , August 09, 2023
- Speaker, Minnesota Cannabis Law Conference 2023, "The ABCs of Cannabis – What You Need to Know About Cannabis, Marijuana, Hemp, and THC to Understand the Impact of the New Cannabis Legislation,” Minneapolis, July 31, 2023
- Speaker, Minnesota Board of Dentistry , "Public Board Meeting,” Online, July 14, 2023
- Speaker, Trail Magic Retailer Party, "Discussion of Minnesota's new adult-use cannabis legalization bill,” Minneapolis, June 12, 2023
In the Media
- Star Tribune, "Minnesota could license hundreds of marijuana retailers, cultivators in coming months," March 27, 2025
- Cannabis Law Report, "Vicente Lawyer Jason Tarasek Comments On MN OCM Cancelling Lottery," December 13, 2024
- CBS News Minnesota, "State regulators sue Twin Cities cannabis retailer for illegally selling marijuana without a license," November 15, 2024
- Cultivated Media, "What the 2024 elections results mean for cannabis | Cultivated Live [VIDEO]," November 6, 2024
- Minnesota Cannabis College, "S2:E6 - MN In the National Conversation with Jason Tarasek, Marcus's T-Break, and Bachelorette Chats," October 22, 2024
- Chad Hartman Podcast, "Why are cannabis regulations so different between MN and WI?," October 15, 2024
- Minnesota Star Tribune, "While Minnesota’s cannabis industry wades through regulations, Wisconsin’s accelerates without many," October 15, 2024
- Star Tribune, "Readers Write: Legal marijuana, guaranteed income, self-segregation in schools," August 17, 2024
- Minnesota Reformer, "Former Democratic operative settles $1.2 million debt with South Dakota cannabis growers," August 1, 2024
- CBS News, "What impact would reclassifying marijuana federally have on Minnesota cannabis businesses?," May 28, 2024