Dayton: Medical Cannabis Issue Needs Collaboration

ST. PAUL, (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he has urged supporters of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes in Minnesota to work with opponents in law enforcement if they want progress on the issue.

Dayton repeatedly cites law enforcement concerns for his own opposition to medical marijuana. But in an interview Friday with The Associated Press, the Democratic governor says he'd likely sign a bill to legalize it if sheriffs, prosecutors and other law enforcement groups get behind it.

Dayton says he met several months ago with groups on both sides of the issue and urged them to collaborate on legislation.

Twenty other states and Washington, D.C., allow medical marijuana in some form.  Dayton says if Minnesota's law is to change, he'd prefer it be done by legislators and not by public vote.