Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Medical marijuana headed to conference committee

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Competing House and Senate bills to legalize medical marijuana in Minnesota are headed to a conference committee that will try to craft a compromise.

The Senate triggered the negotiation process today by formally declining to accept a more restrictive version passed by the House last week. Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, the chief sponsor of the Senate bill, has said the House bill falls short in providing access and security. But he said it’s now time for some give and take.

“This allows then for us to have more conversations and see if we can’t come to some middle ground and some agreeable solutions to the problems we all agree on," Dibble said.

Sens. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, and Branden Petersen, R-Andover, will join Dibble as Senate conferees.

The House negotiators have yet to be named.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Medical Association favor the House bill. Law enforcement groups oppose the Senate version and are neutral on the House bill. Both measures allow patients to use cannabis in pill and liquid form while prohibiting the smoking of marijuana plants.

House Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said she’s a little concerned about medical marijuana, given what she described as the “posture in the Senate.”

“There’s I think more interest in the Senate to pass something that’s more expansive than what we’re able to achieve in the House,” Murphy said. "I’m just concerned about marrying those two issues together and getting something to the governor’s desk.”

Still, Murphy said she’s optimistic that a compromise can be reached in the remaining days of the session.

UPDATE

The House appointed its conferees.  They are Murphy, Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing, and Rep. Rod Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake.