PARIS – A Peru man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of cultivating 177 marijuana plants on his property, and “absolutely not guilty” to a charge of trafficking marijuana.

James Bigos, 44, of 685 Green Woods Road, Peru, was charged with the Class C felonies July 17 by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

During Thursday’s proceeding in Oxford County Superior Court, Bigos’ attorney Walter Hanstein said the state has not proven the allegations against Bigos. He contested the bail condition that Bigos cannot use or possess illegal drugs, and he is subject to random searches and tests. Bigos is disabled with a back injury, Hanstein said, and marijuana eases the pain.

During Bigos’ court appearance he wore a back brace and walked with a cane.

Although a doctor has not prescribed marijuana to Bigos, he did provide a written note stating that the drug would help with his condition.

However, Justice Robert L. Cole responded, “This is not a situation where someone could argue that they had a very small quantity to deal with a pain issue.”

According to state law, an individual is allowed marijuana if it is prescribed by a doctor or another authorized person.

Cpl. Chancey Libby of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office investigated Bigos’ case. He was unavailable for comment Thursday.