PRISON FOR MAN WHO RAN MEDICINAL MARIJUANA CO-OP

A man who ran a medicinal marijuana co-op in his home was sentenced to
three years in state prison for drug sales.

Michael Urziceanu, a former correctional officer, was taken into
custody by Sacramento County sheriff's deputies Tuesday, although his
attorneys requested that his sentence be delayed until his case could
be appealed.

His attorney, Victor Haltom, said he would file an appeal based on the
fact that the jury was not told to consider Proposition 215, the
state's Compassionate Use Act.

California voters passed the proposition allowing patients who suffer
from chronic pain or other medical ailments to use medicinal marijuana
seven years ago.

Prosecutor Caroline Park said Urziceanu knew what he was doing was
illegal because he has been arrested several times before. She has
argued the co-op was a front for drug dealing.