McNeill had admitted charges of supplying cannabis growing gear, and selling and growing cannabis, but defence counsel Kerry Cook said McNeill was now “a changed man”.
He has been clear of his drug and gambling problems for 16 months.
His cannabis involvement came to an end with police raids in May 2020, after he had been under surveillance.
Police found cannabis growing in tents and inside the house at his own property.
Judge Crosbie said he accepted home detention could be imposed, but he told McNeill that dealing also needed deterrence.