Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2006
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Darshan Lindsay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

HOMES THAT GROW STILL IN LIMBO

Fourteen homes formerly housing drug operations have come under the 
intense scrutiny of the city since the establishment of new 
regulations last year.

These homes, all raided by the RCMP for marijuana-grow operations, 
have fallen under the restoration provisions of the new municipal 
bylaw, meaning they cannot be occupied until they meet all city and 
provincial regulations, including those relating to building, fire 
and health safety.

Of the 14 homes, three have gone through the process and are now 
occupied, said city building inspector Tony Adshead.

"As a building department, we look for any safety issues, 
building-wise. Maybe they've cut great big holes to run ducts or 
tampered with the plumbing."

Often there are fire hazards related to the electrical wiring, which 
need to be addressed.

One of the biggest obstacles, however, is the presence of mould 
created by the humid conditions orchestrated for optimum marijuana 
plant growth.

"Anywhere that water can go, that's where mould will follow," said 
Greg Danyluk with Seacor Environmental Inc.

The local environmental engineering firm has been called upon 
half-a-dozen times under the provisions of the bylaw to gauge the 
concentration of mould before and after restoration work.

"You can visually see it if it's real bad. It's up the walls on all 
four sides" and can even impact a building's framing, said Danyluk.

While Seacor Environmental does the mould testing, other companies 
take on the labour-intensive task of getting rid of the fungal 
growth. Workers donning protective clothing rip out drywall and 
carpeting, and clean the air of "floating" spores, before putting it 
all back together. Depending on the severity of the damage, the bill 
can top $50,000.

"The city's on the right track. If you left it up to the owner to do 
it, they're not trained properly and you're going to end up with a 
house that is a sick building," said Reg Dennill, owner of Thompson 
Valley Restoration, which has experience in cleaning up after 
marijuana-grow operations.

Depending on the size of the illegal operation, making a home livable 
is a costly undertaking.

And it's now one which is being borne by the homeowner, according to 
Dennill, since insurance companies are no longer including this type 
of damage under their policies.

"Before it was covered under tenant vandalism," he said. "Most 
policies now have an exclusion regarding illegal acts."

If the damage isn't severe, and a homeowner decides to undertake some 
of the work themselves, the home still has to pass the inspection of 
an environmental assessment before the city clears it for occupation.

Given all the cost involved, including inspection fees paid to the 
city, the RCMP view the new bylaw as a deterrent to anyone 
considering an indoor marijuana-grow operation.

Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Fran Bethell said the bylaw sends a message to 
landlords to be more diligent about who is renting their properties. 
And for homeowners who are involved in illegal activity, the bylaw 
provides an added penalty.

"Besides being charged [criminally], they also have the added expense 
of bring that house up to an acceptable, livable standard."

Bethell said city regulations also prevent properties from just being 
"flipped over," with new plants and new equipment brought in soon 
after a police raid.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom