BURLINGTON, IOWA (AP) -- A West Burlington man who claimed he needed marijuana to ease his pain after he tried to kill himself has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for growing marijuana.

The Hawk Eye reported that Steven Weigert claimed he grew the marijuana for his own medical use, but District Court Judge Mary Ann Brown rejected the argument Monday, noting a presentence investigation showed the 53-year-old Weigert smoked marijuana before he shot himself in the shoulder in 2004. 

Weigert's attorney, James Beres, requested a suspended sentence and probation, saying there were "mitigating circumstances" for the crime and that the marijuana Weigert grew was not grown for profit.

Police found 56 marijuana plants, growing equipment, packaging materials and a pipe with marijuana residue during a search of Weigert's home in May.

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