If you’re visiting the Twin Cities, or Minnesota, for the first time, there are a number of important laws you might want to keep in mind; we’ve broken these up into vehicular, recreational, and a miscellaneous potpourri of useful-to-know, unpleasant-to-break laws and ordinances.
Driving in Minnesota
Seatbelts are required for all passengers in all seats, and you can be stopped for not wearing one. The legal BAC limit for operation of a vehicle is 0.08%, and driving with open containers of alcohol is prohibited.
In Minnesota, complete stops are required at all stop signs. In less-developed parts of the country it’s commonly accepted that most stop signs are “slow and go” signs, but this is not the case in Minnesota. Consider yourself warned.
Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul (and many parts of suburbia) have special parking restrictions in effect during declared snow emergencies. It’s unlikely to snow during the Republican National Convention, but the skating championships could well see snowfall. Keep an eye on local television or newspapers, and try to obey all posted restrictions. If in doubt, ask a friendly, Minnesota Nice(tm) local.
Recreational Laws
- We’re No Fun at All!
In Minnesota, the legal minimum age for the use, purchase, or possession of all tobacco products is eighteen (18) years of age; the minimum age for the use, purchase, or possession of alcohol, twenty-one (21). It’s against the law to provide tobacco or alcohol products to minors.
Unlike some parts of North America, possession (and sale!) of all the usual pharmaceutical suspects, in any quantity, is a crime; there is no “minimum amount for arrest”, no amount you can carry without risking being charged. Local law enforcement are not in the habit of “looking the other way”; if you’re going to smoke the wacky tobaccy, snort the snowflakes, push Captain Jack around, trip the light fantastic, or otherwise partake of mind-altering substances… at least be discreet.
Minnesota’s age of consent is eighteen (18) years of age. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, baby, but this ain’t Las Vegas - keep the Mark Foley antics out of our town. Like they say, ‘under eighteen will get you twenty‘.
If you’re looking for women (or men) of negotiable affection during your visit to the area, there are three basic places to look. First is Saint Paul’s lovely ““Frogtown” neighborhood, essentially University Avenue west of the state capitol building. Second is Minneapolis’ Hennepin Avenue, downtown. Third is the classified section of the local weekly free paper, City Pages.
Soliciting is a criminal offense, and the police prosecute offenders and publish their pictures online. We’re sure the vice officers will be busy busting escorts and their patrons during the RNC convention, much as we expect attendees of the figure-skating championships will have other things on their minds than renting warm flesh by the hour…