ST. PAUL — The Minnesota House rejected a proposal to legalize marijuana that is almost identical to the one approved earlier in the week by the state Senate.

But the House is still debating a more restrictive proposal to legalize medical marijuana in pill, oil and vapor form from three state dispensaries.

Farmington Republican Rep. Pat Garofalo had urged his colleagues to approve the more expansive measure, similar to that approved by the Senate, because it would save the state money and would help more patients.

Majority Leader, St. Paul Democratic Rep. Erin Murphy, warned the chamber that passing the more expansive legislation would doom hopes for legalizing medical marijuana this year. Gov. Mark Dayton has been guarded about whether he would sign legalization into law.