A Lawrence man received probation Thursday for growing marijuana in a case that involved an upscale home that police alleged was used exclusively for growing marijuana.

District Court Judge Stephen Six sentenced Nolan H. Smith, 24, to 18 months of probation. He entered a plea earlier this year to two felony counts: cultivation of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police began investigating Smith and a co-defendant, Steven A. Soby, in 2004 based on a tip from drug informants who said the men were growing marijuana at 3710 Hartford Ave., which backs up onto Alvamar Golf Course.

Police alleged that no one lived in the home at the time. Evidence in the case included electricity bills that were three times higher than that of a neighboring home.

Soby previously was sentenced to probation.

Both men apologized to their parents at sentencing.