Marijuana grow-ops are about to come under increased scrutiny.
The facilities are licenced through Health Canada and information about size, location and ownership are protected by federal privacy laws.
Beaver Creek area director John McNabb says local governments are powerless to address neighbours concerns when a grow-op moves in next door.
With the legalization of marijuana, the growing of it has become much more open and growers aren’t working to hide the smell anymore.
Local leaders say they’re powerless to help people who live next to grow-ops, and want to implement controls on the budding industry.
McNabb estimates there are more than 150 grow-ops where four or more medical licences are combined allowing hundreds of plants.
He said since legalization in October, there has been a rush to combine licences and create large-scale commercial grow-ops in older commercial buildings and backyard garages
McNabb says because the grow-ops are unlicenced, there are no rules to enforce electrical and fire safety standards
He is pushing for such operations to be considered commercial ventures, and to be subject to safety inspections and pay local taxes.
The Regional District will be inviting Health Canada officials to meet with them to discuss the concerns.
