ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Republicans angling to be Minnesota governor differ slightly on the hot-button issue of medical marijuana.

The issue has vexed Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, who has come under fire from advocates for how he's handled it. On Thursday, the GOP hopefuls weighed in after a news conference on a separate topic.

Among them, only state Sen. Dave Thompson and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson say they are open to the possibility of signing a bill. Neither supports the plan currently before lawmakers. Johnson says he'd demand a bill with strict access and prescribing techniques.

State Rep. Kurt Zellers and former Rep. Marty Seifert voted against a medical marijuana plan in 2009. Businessman Scott Honour says marijuana should be handled at a federal level through normal channels of approving prescription drugs.

 

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