3-YEAR SENTENCE FOR GROWING POT

Milwaukee (Associated Press)-- A man who was running for alderman when
arrested for growing marijuana in his basement received a three-year prison
term Wednesday after contending he grew the illegal plants for medicinal
purposes only.

Michael O. Hageman, 57, maintained that the more than 500 marijuana plants
that thrived in his underground garden were cultivated solely for the sick
and dying.

"The laws do not fully recognize marijuana as a medicine," Hageman told
Circuit Judge Clare L. Fiorenza before he was sentenced.

He denounced the state's marijuana laws for ignoring the plant's
pain-killing properties.

The judge told Hageman his argument "might best be addressed to the
Legislature."

"This court is obligated to enforce the law," Fiorenza said. "No one's
above the law."