Accused Miami marijuana trafficker claims he grew plants to help cancer-stricken wife

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Ricardo Varona makes no apologies for running a sophisticated, high-powered hydroponics lab inside a second-floor bedroom of his Southwest Miami-Dade home. He went to trial on Tuesday to insist he was innocent of breaking the law — arguing he was growing the marijuana solely to help his wife stricken with breast cancer.

“Love and compassion, that’s what this case is really about,” Assistant Public Defender Adam Bair told jurors. “In particular, this case is about a man willing to do anything to ease his wife’s suffering.”

The unusual defense, in a state where medical marijuana is not yet allowed, was unconvincing to prosecutors. They tried walking a tight rope Tuesday, offering sympathy for Varona’s wife but casting her husband as a big-time dope dealer.

Their key evidence: His last batch netted 15 live marijuana plants weighing 103 pounds, simply too much for medical use, Miami-Dade prosecutor David Emas told jurors....

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