John Langley was arrested after police raided his home on March 18, and found 36 cannabis plants in his upstairs bedroom.

The 54-year-old, of Collingwood Street, South Shields, has osteoporosis – which causes pain from having brittle bones – and said cannabis helps ease the agony caused by the condition.

Langley, who also underwent a hernia operation recently, pleaded guilty to producing the cannabis plants at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court yesterday. He was given a conditional discharge for two years.

But Langley, who may go to prison if he commits another offence while on probation, today claimed it was "unfair" that he be punished for easing his pain.

He said: "I don't understand it, I'm not harming anyone. Cannabis helps me cope with the problems I have.

"It's legal to buy all the equipment, the lights, and even the seeds, but as soon as you grow it for yourself you get thrown in court."

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, told the court how police found hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis growing equipment, including a special fluorescent light to help the plants grow.

There were 15 small, 16 medium-sized and four large plants confiscated, which will all now be destroyed.

Mrs Beck added: "Mr Langley said the plants were for his own personal use as he smokes the buds.

"The cannabis had a potential street value of £3,240."

Tony Malia, defending, said: "The street value of the cannabis is irrelevant, as this was for his own use and he had no intent to supply, otherwise the police would have charged him with intent to supply.

"The cannabis gave him more pain relief than the drugs prescribed to him by his GP.

"He was given the equipment by a friend who told him what to do."

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