Medical Marijuana, Now Legal, Still Not Easy to Get for Some

ST. PAUL (AP) — Maria Botker has to drive 400 miles round-trip to buy the medical marijuana that treats her daughter Greta's rare seizure disorder. She's not the only Minnesotan making long drives.

Just two facilities in Minneapolis and Eagan opened when Minnesota's new medical marijuana program launched this month. That pits patients and parents in rural areas with long trips and extra expenses to buy the new medicine.

A third clinic will open in Rochester this week. Eventually eight sites will be scattered across Minnesota.

Botker says more locations are needed. Sen. Scott Dibble agrees.

The Minneapolis Democrat authored the state's law. Dibble says he'll push for more dispensaries and other improvements once the state officials have had more time to get the program up and running.