Remediating Homes Used in Drug Operations
On October 17, non-medicinal cannabis will be legalized. In addition to establishing regulated distribution networks, the federal legislation allows individuals to legally cultivate up to four plants per residence.
BCREA remains concerned with the damage drug production can have on properties. Four plants may not sound like much, but what if it's grown in a closet? Or a 600-square foot strata unit? As with other types of drug production, growing cannabis can result in electrical issues and mould, putting property and people at risk.
To address these risks, we believe the BC Government needs to develop a consistent process to remediate buildings used in drug production to ensure they are safe. We commissioned research from the University of the Fraser Valley as a starting point.
The research recommends a public-health approach that makes clear the challenge is not with illegal or legal drug operations—it's with the damage that any drug operation can cause and the potential risks to human safety and property.
BCREA took this research to our multi-stakeholder Drug Operations Advisory Group, where we developed an action plan to promote our research report. Over the last several months, we've met with staff from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Cannabis Legalization Secretariat, Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth and opposition critic Mike Morris.
We look forward to discussing the issue further with other government officials and stakeholders, including Health Minister Adrian Dix.
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