ST. PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday denied a mother’s claim that he had suggested she buy marijuana from the street to treat her 2-year-old son’s intractable epilepsy because the drug is not a legal medicine in the state.

Jessica Hauser, a Woodbury mother who has been advocating for legalizing medical marijuana, was among a small group of supporters who met in early March with the Democratic governor. She also alleged Wednesday that Dayton had told her another option would be to buy the drug in a state where medical marijuana was legal and bring it back to Minnesota. Such an activity would be considered a federal crime.

Appearing publicly for the first time since Hauser made the allegations, Dayton answered “no” when asked if he recommended an illegal purchase. Dayton refused to elaborate.