This release was issued under a previous government.

The Alberta government has accepted the 37 recommendations in the Grow Op Free Alberta Final Recommendations Report to address concerns about the health, safety and remediation of former marijuana grow operations. 

Grow ops can affect the health and safety of people who live in post-grow-op homes due to a variety of problems that can range from structural damage to respiratory concerns due to mould.

Neighbours and communities can also be affected by the fire and explosion risks of grow-ops that can be as close as next door.

Some recommendations, such as increasing marijuana grow-op related information sharing between municipalities and agencies, will be implemented immediately. Other recommendations will move ahead as work with stakeholders is completed, including establishing air testing quality guidelines as part of the grow-op remediation process.

The recommendations were developed after consulting with stakeholders in sectors ranging from home inspectors to utility providers.

“Marijuana grow-ops pose real dangers to our communities. Alberta is leading the way to ensure health and safety in our neighbourhoods and help protect our communities.”

Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

“I am pleased to submit this report on a complex problem facing our province. Grow-ops are a danger to Albertans living in both urban and rural communities.”

Rick Fraser, Associate Minister, Recovery and Reconstruction of High River and Associate Minister, Public Safety

Recommendations in the report are grouped by themes from the consultations. 

Recommendations

  • Detection, notification and disclosure
  • Community and environmental impact
  • Inspection and remediation
  • Child protection
  • Safety and health hazards
  • Utility usage and theft
  • Licensed grow-ops—Medical Marijuana Access Program

The consultations and resulting report and recommendations focus on concerns about the health, safety and remediation of former marijuana grow operations. Decriminalization of marijuana remains a federal matter.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.