Jason Tarasek

Counsel

Minnesota

j.tarasek@vicentellp.com

612-961-8112

4749 Chicago Avenue, S., Suite 3C

Minneapolis, MN 55407

Administrative Law
Hemp & Cannabinoids
Licensing
Litigation & Arbitration
Real Estate

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 serves as counsel at Vicente LLP and manages the firm's Minnesota office. He assists hemp, cannabinoid, medical marijuana and adult-use cannabis clients throughout the Upper Midwest. With over 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 throughout the Upper Midwest. 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 “hemp-derived THC” law, working closely with Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Rep. Heather Edelson, Republican senators, and a team of other talented lobbyists to draft and negotiate the terms of the groundbreaking legislation. In 2023, he advocated for Minnesota’s passage of an adult-use cannabis bill. Over several months, Jason worked closely with chief bill authors Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Zack Stephenson and legislative staff to fine-tune the landmark legislation. In 2024, he has continued to advocate for sensible policy as the state implements the adult-use cannabis program while expanding Minnesota’s trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage industry.  

Previously, Jason served as Minnesota Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project, where he helped draft legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana in Minnesota and helped guide the bill to the state’s first-ever legislative hearing on a cannabis legalization bill in 2019. He is also a former board member of the Cannabis Industry Association of South Dakota.

Jason is a frequent speaker on legal issues related to hemp, cannabinoids, and marijuana, 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: 2020-2024
  • Named Twin Cities Business “100 to Watch” for 2023

Events

In the Media