He said he had authorised a man named Johnny Miller to undertake cannabis growing in return for supply of the drug.
But Judge Murray Hunt said while he accepted Crump's health was poor, he provided access to the property and authorised the use of ceiling space of his house to dry cannabis.
He said Crump even discussed the location of the plants and where the best place to grow them would be.
"I accept that during this period from late 2015 until March, his health issues were such that they precluded extensive physical activity but did not rob him of his comprehension or understanding of what he was doing," Judge Hunt said.
During sentencing, Crump's lawyer Doug Blaikie said a non custodial sentence would be appropriate given his client suffered significant pain from liver damage.
Dobson said he neither instigated the cannabis growing operation nor was a dominant player.
Crown prosecutor Jarred Scott said both men did not acknowledge their culpability and given the amount of plants seized, home detention was well out of range.
He said the 1088 cannabis plants seized were the largest in a single bust in Northland's history.
Judge Hunt said Crump's help was pivotal to the success of the cannabis growing operation on a commercial scale.
He jailed Crump for three years and two months on one charge of cultivating cannabis and a six-month concurrent sentence on another charge of supplying cannabis.
Dobson was jailed for three years and six months for cultivating cannabis.