Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Author: Sherri Zickefoose CITY IN DARK ON LEGAL GROW OPS Licensed Marijuana Operation Shut for Safety Code Violations The city admits it has no idea how many federally licensed medical marijuana grow operations are active in Calgary. The city inspected and shut down a Health Canada approved pot growing operation Wednesday, finding numerous safety code infractions inside the southwest house. The home, which was said to be unsafe and contaminated, is now shuttered and deemed unfit for human habitation. The discovery is raising safety concerns about bylaw and safety codes not being met, and about Health Canada's efforts to inspect the homes. In October, a different licensed home in the 400 block of 51st Avenue S.W. suffered an explosion after residents were cooking a byproduct on a stove. A resident of the home had a federal waiver allowing them to have marijuana for medicinal purposes. Two men were badly burned. But just how many more homes are legally operating is unknown to city officials, he said. "We really don't know that. Health Canada doesn't divulge that information to anyone. We did know of this one and one previously that had an explosion. We only know of these two, so as we find additional medical marijuana grow operations we're hoping to inspect them as well on behalf of the city," said Wayne Brown, who heads the city's Co-ordinated Safety Response Team. "It's frustrating to a point. We would like all of these houses to comply with regulations with bylaw and safety codes. I think working with Health Canada in the future we'll get a handle on this," said Brown. The CSRT works with city police whenever illegal grow ops are found also. "We will be speaking with Health Canada on this. We do want these legal medical marijuana grow operation houses to comply with the bylaws and codes of the City of Calgary." City building regulation inspectors and police showed up at the home in question Wednesday. Inside, they found officials concluded the owners were in violation of numerous safety infractions. "We do believe this house is in unsafe condition," said Brown. An inspection of this nature is the first of its kind for building regulations. "To find this number of safety infractions in a federally approved medical grow operation is very disturbing," Brown said. Multiple safety infractions were found in the federally licensed grow operation including: building code infractions, compromised air intake, toxins, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and potential contamination of drinking water. The house is fenced and signs are posted barring anyone from entering. "It is the owner's responsibility to comply with all City permits including an Environmental Restoration Permit. "Evidence of this situation poses a serious safety risk to the community," said Brown. "Operators of licensed Health Canada marijuana grow operations need to take public safety seriously and should ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable bylaws and safety codes that are required in the City of Calgary." Requests to speak with Health Canada have not yet been answered. As of Jan. 8, Health Canada says, 631 individuals in Alberta were licensed to possess medical marijuana - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom