A social inquiry report was ordered on a man who cultivated at least 75 cannabis plants in his backyard.

Martin Ford, 58, pleaded guilty to the offence in Magistrates’ Court.

Police attended Ford’s home in Warwick on July 4 last year after they suspected him of drug possession.

The court heard that officers spoke to Ford’s landlord, who said that his tenant was not home.

The landlord told police that he was unaware of any drugs.

Officers searched the property and found several cannabis plants in the backyard, hidden behind bushes and chain-link fences.

The plants were later sent to a government lab to be tested.

Ford turned himself in to police on July 12 and admitted the plants were cannabis and that they were grown for personal use.

He was charged with the offence on November 21 after technicians confirmed that the plants were cannabis.

Javon Rogers, for the Crown, told the court that police had removed between 75 and 91 plants from the premises.

He added that Ford could face a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.

Bruce Swan, for the defence, said that his client had grown the plants for medical use and asked for an assessment of Ford’s drug use.

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe adjourned the case until March 11 and released Ford on $7,500 bail.

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