A proliferation of marijuana grow houses in the city has councillors considering ways to combat the new urban menace.

Monday, the city's planning committee backed a set of new weapons to employ in their battle most of which would require sweeping legislative changes at the provincial and federal levels and greater co-operation with police.

"We have to take action," said committee chair Gerry Altobello (Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest).

The committee is asking the city to go to the senior levels of government to get more power for property standards and health inspectors who could then use building safety and public health concerns as grounds for entry to shut down the illegal operation.

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