Grow Op Free Alberta
"The reality is they have a negative effect on the community."
Minister Jonathan Denis, Metro News 
, November 4, 2012
Marijuana grow operations (MGOs) affect the safety of our communities. Even after grow-ops are shut down, they continue to pose significant dangers to the health and safety of Albertans, their property, and the neighbourhoods in which they operate. Industry and municipalities have been working independently to address the complex issues associated with former grow ops. The seriousness of the activity requires an integrated provincial solution to ensure Alberta has an effective response to help maintain the safety and security of Albertans’ homes and communities.
In addition to potentially leading to other illegal activities, grow ops create health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals and mould, and safety hazards, such as fire, and electrical and structural damage, which can lead to extensive remediation costs.
The issues associated with grow ops are complex, and to understand how grow ops affect Albertans, the Government of Alberta is launching stakeholder consultations, starting in February 2013. Some municipalities and provincial departments have identified protocols to address the remediation of grow op properties, however, there is currently no systematic, coordinated approach to address these issues at the provincial level. The stakeholder consultations will help identify ideas and solutions that will be used to inform the development of recommendations for government.
The consultations will focus on issues related to safety and health, remediation, cost recovery, electricity theft and privacy as they relate to marijuana grow operations. These issues are within provincial jurisdiction. Legalizing grow ops and other issues that fall under the Criminal Code of Canada are outside the scope of these provincial consultations.
Learn more about the stakeholder consultations >>
Grow ops in Alberta
How to spot a grow op. Keep your neighbourhood safe.
Impacts on the community
Stakeholder Consultations
Who to contact
Grow ops in Alberta
No community is immune to marijuana grow operations. They can be found in virtually any community – rural or urban – and are known to operate in a variety of structures, such as apartments, small bungalows, large homes or commercial buildings.
From the outside, the home may appear normal, but the significant structural, electrical, water and heating system modifications severely damage the integrity of the structure. Modifications do not meet building codes and are unsafe for residents and the neighbourhood as a whole.
Learn more about marijuana grow operations >>
How to spot a grow op. Keep your neighbourhood safe.
Impacts on the community
The increase in marijuana grow ops in Alberta raises concerns about the health and safety of those living in or near a former grow op. Properties may seem normal, but the heating, electricity and water systems have been modified. This compromises the structural and mechanical integrity of the building, and poses hazards from mould and chemical residue, electrical and fire risks, booby traps and criminal activity. Former grow operations also pose significant remediation costs for home owners, who may unknowingly purchase a former grow operation.
Learn more about the impacts of grow operations >>
Stakeholder Consultations
The stakeholder consultations on marijuana grow operations are being led by Rick Fraser, MLA for Calgary-South East. Mr. Fraser will be supported by a panel of experts who will provide advice on the various issues associated with marijuana grow ops, as well as by Justice and Solicitor General (Safe Communities) and four partnering ministries: Energy, Health, Municipal Affairs and Service Alberta.
Public consultations began in February 2013 and will continue until May 2013. For your opportunity to provide input please complete our short survey after viewing our website and taking a tour of our interactive marijuana grow op house.
Community and ministry stakeholder consultation meetings will take place between February and May, 2013, and will include police agencies, municipalities, fire officials, health, safety and building investigators, utilities, mortgage and real estate companies and other organizations.
The information gathered from public, community, and ministry consultations will be summarized in a What Was Heard report, which will be posted on this website for your input and feedback. This report will form the basis for a final report and recommendations to government to address the issues caused by marijuana grow ops in Alberta.
Who to contact
If you suspect a marijuana grow operation in your community, call your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
