The political bluster and posturing around the controversial law have been replaced by the urgent efforts of state staff to implement it.

With the fate of proposed medical marijuana legislation still uncertain, Minnesotans for Compassionate Care heralded the latest additions to its coalition.

As they prepare to take the reins of state government starting in 2013, Minnesota Democrats are attempting to strike a delicate balance between erasing a projected budget deficit and handling pent-up demand to tackle liberal social issues after two decades of divided control in St. Paul.