Minnesota’s final two medical marijuana dispensaries are set to open Friday, bringing all eight clinics online ahead of a critical expansion that could bring thousands ...

Sides offer different reasons for slow enrollment in medicinal marijuana program

Petersen leaves the Senate after one term to focus on his family and career.

The first three patients filed into a Minneapolis clinic as the medical marijuana program kicked off and emerged with medicine the state’s law had long kept out of reach.

Doctors serve as the face of LeafLine and MinnMed for purposes of the public rollout, but the investors, staff, and consultants at both companies come from a wide variety of other professions.

Minnesota’s nascent medical marijuana program remains on target to be up and running by next summer, even though the industry still poses legal risks to lawyers, bankers and growers.

The political bluster and posturing around the controversial law have been replaced by the urgent efforts of state staff to implement it.

Sellers and consultants say the industry is banking on future growth.

Mike McFadden, who hopes to challenge sitting Democrat Al Franken, hasn't cast a ballot in a primary for the last 20 years. Other GOP candidates for the seat, including Rep. Jim Abeler, Sen. Julianne Ortman and Chris Dahlberg have been involved in the process.

The bill was a victim of end-of-session horse trading between majority and minority leadership as Democrats sought to garner necessary votes from House Republicans for the $846 million bonding deal.