GETTING AHEAD OF GROW OPS

The Medicine Hat Real Estate Board is pitching a plan to tackle
marijuana grow ops in the greater Medicine Hat area.

Real estate board executive officer Ric Carrier addressed Medicine
Hat Police Board Thursday night, discussing a multi-stakeholder
approach that is now in effect in Calgary.

The Stampede City has been growing green indoors to the tune of $100
million annually, Chief Norm Boucher indicated.

In greater Medicine Hat there have been "a few" grow ops in the Gas
City and Cypress Country, Carrier claimed.

"I know right now we don't have a big issue, but it's better to ahead
of the game," Police Chief Norm Boucher said. Boucher indicated
police will support the initiative.

Carrier explained that in the current context, rental properties that
get busted for grow ops are then flipped from unsuspecting buyer to
unsuspecting buyer.

"What happens is the realtors get caught in the middle," Carrier
said. "They don't necessarily know this is the case and the buyer
thinks the realtor should know everything."

Carrier is advocating a program that would see police contact public
health inspectors after a grow op bust is made. Inspectors could
condemn homes where electrical circuits have been altered or
significant mould exists from the high humidity conditions used in grow ops.

In addition, a caveat would be placed against the home on realtor
listings indicating the home had been used as a grow op. Renovations
to correct grow op damage would be listed as well, he said.

"The people responsible for creating the mess will be responsible for
correcting the issue, or at least taking the financial loss in the
reduced value of the property," he said. Carrier did not indicate how
that would be enforced.

Board chair William Anhorn suggested meth labs in residences pose a
far greater health risk given the volatile nature of the chemicals
that combine to make crystal methamphetamine.

"If people are aware that programs are in place to identify meth labs
and pot grow ops, that may well act as a deterrent to those who may
unwittingly turn a blind eye," he said.

Thursday's presentation was the first contact that Carrier has made.
He plans to also meet with city electrical inspectors, Palliser
Health Region officials and the Medicine Hat Fire Department. Boucher
indicated he will support Carrier in future meetings.