Minn. House Panel Opens Medical Marijuana Debate

ST. PAUL, (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers are renewing a debate about possible legalization of medical marijuana.

A bill to do that is on Tuesday's agenda of the House Health and Human Services Committee.

In 2009, lawmakers passed a bill to allow medical marijuana. But then-Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed it over concerns raised by law enforcement. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has also aligned himself with authorities.

Some police worry that legal medical marijuana would be used illicitly and up the hands of school students.

Yet some flexibility might exist among law enforcers. Rep. Carly Melin of Hibbing says the state association of police chiefs has been willing to discuss marijuana extracts in pill, liquid or inhaler form. And the Minnesota County Attorneys Association is also open to that idea.