Columbus Man Claims He Grew Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes

HENDERSONVILLE - A man accused of running Henderson County's largest and most sophisticated marijuana growing operation says he did it out of compassion.

Tod Aiken, of Columbus, said Wednesday the marijuana that led to his arrest was being sold for medicinal purposes.

"There's a lot of people out there that need medical marijuana," Aiken said. "I'm a man of compassion. I wanted to help these people."

Aiken said he began growing marijuana in 2000 to help counteract the effects of hepatitis C treatments.

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