Putting the medical marijuana plan into practice will be a big challenge

The legalization of medical marijuana in Minnesota means a new job for the state Health Department.

The department is tasked with overseeing the organizations that will grow the drug, process it into pill or liquid form and make it available to people with approved medical conditions by next summer.

Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger told MPR News' Morning Edition the department will also conduct a scientific study on people using marijuana as medicine.

"To see if the pills and oils and liquids are having some impact on their symptoms, or if there are any side effects, what the dosages might be," Ehlinger said. "We will be learning some things that other states are now recognizing that they really need to do: Get more information about the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis."

Twenty-one other states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Unlike Minnesota, they all allow the drug to be smoked. That would still be illegal under Minnesota's law, although people with a medical need could inhale it in a vapor form.

Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign the bill next week.