Local activists are taking notice of the medical marijuana debate at the state Capitol.

Medical marijuana advocate Deanna Ryther urged the Mower County Board of Commissioners to help start a conversation about legalizing medical marijuana use at the local level during the county board’s Tuesday meeting.

“I’ve met with the mayor, I’ve met with the police captain … to help start a discussion and talk about the facts of medical marijuana use in 20 other states and Washington, D.C.,” Ryther told the board.

Ryther has advocated for medical marijuana for more than a year and helped organize the Austin Minnesota Hemp Fest last September.

More state governments have taken up the issue in recent years, with 20 states thus far permitting some form of medical marijuana for patients in dire need. Minnesota lawmakers passed a medical marijuana bill in 20009 but then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed the measure.

Gov. Mark Dayton has said he won’t sign any medical marijuana bill into law unless the measure is supported by law enforcement groups, most of which have publicly opposed the latest medical marijuana bill.

County commissioners said they would leave the issue up to state legislators as it’s more of a state matter.