Medical Marijuana Proposals Headed To Conference Committee

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A push to legalize medical marijuana is headed to conference committee.

The state Senate on Tuesday chose not to adopt a more restrictive bill passed in the House last week. Instead, senators chose the conference route in hopes of working out a compromise.

Gov. Mark Dayton and law enforcement support the House bill. It forbids patients from receiving or possessing any of the marijuana plant itself. It also makes fewer medical conditions eligible for medical marijuana.

The Senate bill allows patients to receive and possess up to 2.5 ounces of pot plant material and patients could obtain marijuana at more locations.

Both measures allow patients to consume medical marijuana in pill, oil and vapor form. Neither permit smoking the drug.