GRITS EYE GROW-OP HOME HEALTH ISSUES

ONTARIO HEALTH Minister George Smitherman is vowing to look into
health issues surrounding homes that once housed marijuana grow
operations. Many of those homes are later resold to unsuspecting
buyers who face significant health and safety hazards ranging from
mouldy walls to unstable structures.

"That's an issue that (Public Safety) Minister (Monte) Kwinter has the
lead on, but I'm happy to take the health-related aspect issue of that
up and deal with him directly on it," Smitherman said.

According to a ministry of health spokesman, most moulds do not
produce any reaction, depending on the sensitivity of the individual
and whether the moulds are dispersed or not.

Mandatory Disclosure

The local health unit would investigate and determine whether there is
a health hazard to new tenants, the spokesman said.

The Health Protection and Promotion Act protects the public from
environmental hazards.

Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter said the real estate industry
is looking at making it mandatory to disclose to potential buyers if a
dwelling has been used as a grow operation. Under the Real Estate Act,
the onus is on the real estate broker to disclose negative facts, he
said.

Proposed government legislation introduced by Kwinter earlier this
fall will also mandate inspections of buildings police have identified
as a pot house.

Inspectors would then be able to issue orders that the home be brought
up to minimum standards.

Municipal affairs and housing official James Douglas said the
legislation will provide municipalities with the tools to enforce such
clean-ups.

"It's really up to municipalities to enforce," Douglas said.