MN House takes up MJ bill today

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A bill with tight limits on use of marijuana as medicine has reached a pivotal Minnesota House vote.

Days after the Senate overwhelmingly passed a more-expansive version, House lawmakers planned to debate its own proposal and almost 50 potential amendments Friday.

The bill allows people with certain conditions to use marijuana in pill, liquid, oil or vapor form. It prohibits smoking.

Debate could center on the number of authorized growers and distributors, and the qualifying conditions.

House Majority Leader Erin Murphy says if significant changes are made to carefully calibrated legislation "that could put the bill in jeopardy."

Law enforcement publicly opposes the Senate measure but is neutral on the current House bill. Gov. Mark Dayton has aligned himself with police and prosecutors in calls for stricter controls.