Do a quick Google search of "marijuana grow-ops" in Canada, and the headlines pop up. In just the past month: "RCMP estimate as many as 10,000 grow-ops in British Columbia," "Mounties encounter more sophisticated grow-ops," "Halifax police charge six in grow-op." And on they go.There's no denying, Canada has become a "source country" for marijuana. Meaning, there's lots of money to be made, largely by organized crime.
And where are criminals setting up shop? Step outside your house. Look down the block to the left. Then look to the right. Chances are, a house near you is hiding a grow-op secret.
So what happens when the police bust these homes? Or when the growers figure it's time to move on? Often, these houses get quickly patched up and put on the market, leaving the next homebuyer stuck with expensive problems -- like mould, dangerous wiring, and structural damage.
If you think hiring a home inspector is going to protect you, think again. Some are trained to spot the warning signs, but many have no idea what to look for.
So when it comes time to hire a home inspector, there are a few things to ask.
Firstly, what kind of experience does the inspector have? If they don't have much, that's a big red flag.
What kind of training do they have? And is it relevant? That's key -- even if someone is an engineer, it doesn't mean they're qualified to inspect a home.
Are they independent? Never hire a home inspector who's been referred by a real estate agent -- they may feel obliged to help sell a house in bad condition.
Lastly, can you follow them around during an inspection? A good inspector will encourage you to take part.
In every case of a suspected grow-up, police must obtain a search warrant.
If a grow-up is found, it should be required by law, that this fact be registered at the applicable Land Registry against the property named in the search warrant.
The prospective purchaser's lawyer will then be able to alert his/her client to the fact that this house was used as a grow-up BEFORE the sale is finalized.
Look, you can write this off as a "pot-loving kook" post (even though I don't do the stuff), or you can listen to a real, tangible solution.
IF our Federal govt. would allow Canadians who choose to participate in this activity/lifestyle (and by the numbers quoted, and reported over the years this is A LOT of Canadians!), to grow no more than say...6 plants or so in their backyards it would result in the following:
1. Significantly (if not entirely) reduced demand for marihuana. Who would pay money when you can either grow it yourself or get it off your neighbor...duh!
2. Less commercial sized grow ops in homes as a result of #1
3. Almost no homes being used as grow ops.
4. No demand, no money to be made by criminals and therefore a huge reduction in drug related violence, turf wars, etc. etc.
5. More time for RCMP to focus on drugs that are actually seriously detrimental to people like Ecstasy, crystal meth, cocaine, etc.
We would be back to pre-grow op concerns in the real estate market. Inspectors wouldn't worry about it like they never used to. What does it say about our country's laws when this is such a problem now that everyone buying a house has to worry about it?
Don't think this is relevant to the story? Explain how a raging demand for a substance that is illegal (barely) doesn't fuel the very problem you are reporting on?
Or would you rather treat the symptom of your disease instead of the cause?