Sonny Ray Austin, 29, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court this week where he pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating and possessing a drug of dependence.

The court heard on May 18 last year, police executed a search warrant at a Long Gully property.

Officers found a hydroponic set up concealed behind a metal door in the garage. Inside were eight mature cannabis plants, weighing a total of 7.6 kilograms.

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In the laundry of the house, officers also seized another seven cannabis plant seedlings weighing 17 grams.

There was also 25.4 grams of chopped cannabis found inside a bowl at the property.

Austin was interviewed about the raid on July 20 this year. He made admissions about growing the cannabis but said it was for personal use so he could manage his pain.

Austin also said he was the only person planting and maintaining the plants.

Defence lawyer Jack Dalziel told the court Austin was seriously injured while in custody in Melbourne in February 2018.

Mr Dalziel said Austin was now a paraplegic and permanently required a wheelchair.

The defence lawyer said Austin was using drugs to deal with his pain and it was "more of a hobby" than a way to gain money through distribution.

Magistrate Russell Kelly reminded Austin that it was illegal to grow or possess cannabis, regardless of his personal circumstances.

Mr Kelly convicted and fined Austin $500.

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