A Pembroke man caught cultivating 54 marijuana plants in his back yard appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Kevin Michael Lyn Smith, 45, of Seagull Lane, told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, the plants were for personal use, and added: "That was not my intention to be a cultivator or massive producer."

Smith pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, a cylindrical grinder used in connection with drug use, and to cultivating the plants.

The court heard Police conducted a search on May 31 at 7.30 p.m. Smith a self-employed roofer was home at the time and admitted to having small plants growing in a black pot at the southeast corner of the property.

Police found another seven white cigarettes containing plant like material, as well as the silver metal grinder in his kitchen.

Smith said of the offences: "Yes I cultivate marijuana. It is for my own personal use. It has gotten too expensive to buy it."

Smith said all the plants, except two, were under three inches tall. According to Smith's testimony, he had just thrown marijuana seeds into a bucket and was planning on using them to make tea. He also said he was also growing tomatoes and onions outside his home.

The maximum penalty for the offence is $500,000 or ten years imprisonment.

However, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner handed Smith a $16,600 fine including $15,000 for the cultivation and two $800 fines for possessing cannabis and the grinder.