Home Cultivation

Odours from cannabis plants come from the volatile organic compounds found in the resin which forms on cannabis flowers (terpenes and terpenoids). Therefore, odours may be stronger when the plants are flowering and during cannabis drying, curing and processing as the oils are activated. Not all cannabinoids produce an odour, some are odourless.

Odours in the home

There are no known health effects of exposure to odours associated with indoor home cannabis cultivation. However, odours can impact well-being for some individuals by being an annoyance or nuisance.

Odours from production facilities

Large-scale commercial and medical production facilities use a combination of engineering controls to reduce the smell to undetectable levels outside of the facility.

Licensed cannabis growing facilities are inspected by Health Canada. If you have a complaint about a facility in your neighbourhood contact Health Canada. All licensed producers are inspected by Health Canada.

Indoor cannabis cultivation can potentially increase the levels of humidity in the home. Humidity levels in the home should be controlled to prevent problems with indoor moisture build-up and to curb mould growth.

Testing

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services does not provide mould testing in private or public places. To arrange for testing, please contact a private environmental air quality company.

Mould complaints

Municipal by law enforcement / property standards responds to mould complaints in residential rental units. Please call the city by law department where you live and they will be able to respond accordingly.  

• Using equipment that is incorrect or in poor condition
• Using high wattage grow lamps
• Making changes to your homes wiring/breakers
• Use of fertilizers
• Use of compressed gas such as CO2 to increase plant growth and/or yield
• Processing cannabis at home to produce concentrates (e.g. hash oil) using solvents such as butane, acetone or toluene

To reduce your risk from these potential fire and electrical hazards:

• Choose not to grow your own cannabis at home and purchase at a licensed retail outlet 
  
• Follow all relevant legislation including building fire codes and Residential Tenancies Act
• Use lower risk equipment such as LED lighting systems versus high wattage, heat emitting lamps
• Do not process cannabis concentrates at home.
• If you choose to process cannabis concentrates at home, reduce the risk of an explosion by using non-organic solvent processes (e.g. ice water extraction)

To report a potential fire hazard related to cannabis home cultivation and processing contact your local fire department.