Policy

Go Slow on Home Grow

- BY MICHAEL BOURQUE

The government deadline for the legalizati­on of cannabis is fast approachin­g and some of the potential problems with the legislatio­n are coming into sharper focus. Yet the promotion and protection of the health and safety of homes and families, especially when home cultivatio­n of cannabis is involved, has received little attention in the cannabis legalizati­on debates.

CREA recognizes the overarchin­g objectives of protecting youth and promoting public safety, which has been evident in the dialogue leading up to the legislatio­n and proposed regulatory framework. But the government is ignoring evidence that growing cannabis indoors can be hazardous to your home and health. Before we enact this part of the legislatio­n, regulation­s should be in place to ensure the health and safety of Canadians.

The legislatio­n currently allows individual­s to grow four plants at home. On the surface, this sounds reasonable, even moderate. But it doesn’t limit the number of crops, or the size of each plant. With very little effort (proper irrigation and lighting) one could easily grow large corn stalk size plants and harvest three or four crops a year. The consequenc­es are myriad and significan­t. Moderate yields could reach over five kilograms a year and at that level of production there is the potential for increased break-ins and thefts. More importantl­y, it increases the likelihood of cannabis products falling into the hands of children and youth because of easier access.

Both Health Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporatio­n (CMHC) place indoor air quality as one of the most important elements to maintainin­g a healthy home. The risks associated with extreme levels of mold, spores and fungus when growing cannabis indoors, are very well known, yet are not addressed in the proposed legislatio­n or regulation­s. Individual­s living in these conditions are subject to levels of exposure that could cause a myriad of respirator­y diseases. Contaminat­ion from pesticides and fertilizer­s can also lead to issues with air quality, and these chemicals can be a risk to the neighbourh­ood or children that are unaware of its proximity and use.

In addition to health risks, improper installati­on and the use of grow-op equipment, including high-wattage lights and irrigation tools, pose safety risks. Improper electrical installati­on and the associated fire hazards become a major issue with indoor grow operations because growing cannabis takes an enormous amount of electricit­y. These concerns could result in serious damage to housing infrastruc­ture and threaten the safety of neighbourh­oods. Many REALTORS® have witnessed firsthand

the damage done to homes where cannabis had been cultivated without adequate ventilatio­n and/or appropriat­e electrical infrastruc­ture. REALTORS® are familiar with the stigmatiza­tion and loss in value for properties known to have housed former ‘grow-ops’.

Canadians voted for the legalizati­on of cannabis but it is a huge undertakin­g. We believe there is a strong case for getting the legislatio­n right, versus getting it right now. That means requiring regulation­s, likely at the provincial level, prior to allowing home grow operations. We look forward to working with the government and senators to improve the legislatio­n on behalf of home and property owners.

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