A County Court judge sentenced Craig Hamilton Wells, 50, on Wednesday, with a minimum non-parole period of three years.

Court documents state police raided Wells' property in July 2019, finding 88 cannabis plants, cannabis seeds, ziplock bags containing green vegetable matter and $2005 in cash.

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Judge Amanda Chambers said there was a "sophisticated and elaborate" set up at the property.

In sentencing Judge Chambers said she found Wells had a good prospect of rehabilitation.

She said other sentencing considerations included the COVID-19 pandemic making conditions in custody more onerous.

Judge Chambers referenced a psychological report which said a long period in custody was likely to have a deleterious effect on Wells' mental health.

She said Wells' moral culpability for his offending was significant, but informed by personal circumstances.

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Judge Chambers said she was satisfied Wells cultivated cannabis to meet his debts.

Court documents state that when police raided the property in 2019, they also uncovered various 'grow' lamps, fans, and drainage systems set up in several rooms.

An electrical bypass was also found in the roof of the Kangaroo Flat property.

Police searched another one of Wells' properties later that day and found a briefcase containing $5000 in cash.

Wells was arrested and taken to the Bendigo Police Station for questioning.

He admitted to possessing the cannabis plants, but told police he thought he had under 60 plants at different stages of maturation.

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In June, defence counsel Shane Gardner told the court Wells had been of "previous good character" with no prior convictions.

Mr Gardner said Wells was a "decent, hardworking man of family values", who had held numerous jobs throughout his adult life.

The defence counsel said Wells developed a drug addiction in recent years, and he turned to the offending as a means to pay off debts related to his drug use and gambling.

Mr Gardner said Wells had already taken "proactive and voluntary steps" to rehabilitate from his drug and alcohol addictions.

The defence counsel said Wells had also been diagnosed with depressive disorder, which would make his first time in prison more burdensome.

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