WASHINGTON TWP — A 55-year-old man was arraigned Tuesday on charges of growing marijuana at his mobile home in this northern Butler County township.

But the suspect, William J. Cubbage, claimed the illegal crop was for medicinal purposes, state police said.

“Cubbage advised that he smokes weed to dull the pain (from) ‘liver cancer,’” according to a police affidavit.

However, he is charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and possession of a small amount of marijuana.

An anonymous caller this summer tipped off authorities about marijuana plants growing behind a dog kennel at Cubbage’s rental home on Bruin Road, police said.

Troopers went there and found two plants in 3-foot-high weeds, court documents said. Cubbage, who was home, initially denied knowing about the marijuana plants.

The troopers, after taking a closer look, seized the pair of 4-foot-tall plants from individual plastic container pots.

Police also removed three other potted plants across from the dog kennel.

Cubbage later turned over to police processed marijuana, documents said.

Cubbage, who is free on his own recognizance, faces a preliminary hearing Dec. 17 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton in Chicora.