Governor Would Sign House Medical Pot Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has sent a letter to House and Senate sponsors of their respective medical-marijuana bills. Dayton said he would sign the bill into law if legislators adopted the House version as is.

Dayton sent the letter to Minneapolis Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble and Hibbing Democratic Rep. Carly Melin soon after the House passed a medical-marijuana proposal on Friday.

Like the Senate's, the House's bill offers patients marijuana in pill, oil or vapor form and prohibits smoking the drug. The House bill establishes three dispensaries. The Senate version sets up 55.

Dayton said components that made the House measure superior included an observational study, consumer assistance and fewer dispensaries. The Senate reconvenes on Monday. Its options are to accept the House version or open conference committee negotiations.