POT GROWERS SHOULD LOSE HOUSES: CIPOLLA

Homes that house clandestine marijuana grow operations should be
ripped from the landscape as a warning to pot producers who dare to
set up shop in Orillia, a local councillor has recommended.

"These grow houses are a menace to society, as well as to the
neighbourhood," Ralph Cipolla said this week.

Indoor drug farms and the question of what to do with them after
police have hauled away the illicit weed was the focus of discussion
at council's committee meeting on Monday evening.

The city's police services board is pushing for a bylaw that would
allow the municipality to recover some of the costs associated with
dismantling so-called grow-ops and returning the homes to a livable
state. Cipolla's answer? Tear 'em down.

"Once it is a grow-op , the mould is just incredible in these places,
and it usually comes back in a year or two," he added.

Homes occupied by pot farmers quickly deteriorate due to the high
humidity levels and elevated temperatures that are needed to nurture
the plants to maturity.

Toxic mould, unpleasant odours and unsafe electrical work are
routinely a problem, staff said in a report to council.

Coun. George Morano, himself a former police officer, said homes that
formerly housed indoor pot operations often linger on the market long
after the growers have been carted away to jail.

"I see people outside sniffing, but nobody buying," Morano said.

Mississauga and Brampton both have bylaws allowing them to recover a
portion of the costs associated with grow-ops, with the funds
collected from the owner of the home. Those who refuse to pay would
have the amount owed added to their tax bill, staff said.

"The quicker we move forward, the quicker we may help put a cramp on
grow-ops in the community," Cipolla added.

Some of the costs homeowners could be billed for include inspection
work, police involvement, hydro inspections, detection and removal of
booby traps, and issues related to the fire-code.

Absentee landlords who knowingly lease out homes to drug producers
should be held accountable as well, some members suggested.

Staff noted that marijuana grow-operators often steal significant
quantities of power by bypassing a home's hydro meter. A public
meeting will be required if council decides to pursue a bylaw.