Marihuana Grow Operations (MGOs) have been found to operate with little or no regard to the immediate or future safety of the occupants or neighbours. Buildings that have been used as MGOs may contain significant health and safety hazards. Substantial damage and hazardous conditions found in these buildings can include structural problems, electrical tampering, chemical contamination, increased levels of combustion gases, and abundant growth of visible and hidden moulds. An MGO premises is usually subject to an order and a Notice of Health Hazard registration on the land title pertaining to the property.

 

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health, in partnership with the Alberta Green Teams, local law enforcement, and local Safety Codes Officers, is actively involved in the assessment and remediation of these marihuana grow operations.

The purpose of this guideline is to provide information on the current best practices for repair, rehabilitation, and remediation of an MGO property.

An Environmental Health Officer (EHO), appointed as an Executive Officer of AHS, after determination of any nuisance conditions or building deficiencies, in conjunction with police confirmation of the building’s use as a marihuana grow operation, may find these conditions sufficient to issue an Executive Officer’s Order against the property. Once an order is issued, an EHO will initiate the registration of a Notice of Health Hazard on the land title pertaining to the property.

 

An EHO will review documents pertaining to all repair, rehabilitation, and remediation work and will make the decision to rescind any orders...

 

Read More: Alberta Health Services website, 2012-02-15 (pdf)