Living with a greenhouse in your house is hazardous to your health — so hazardous that adults who expose children to such an environment are guilty of child abuse, John Martyny of National Jewish Health and an associate professor for the University of Colorado Denver said Sept. 10.
Martyny, working at the request of Colorado law enforcement agencies, led a research team that conducted environmental tests of 30 indoor marijuana grow operations in Denver. Of the grow operations tested, 20 had a “medical marijuana component,” and at least two were supplying medical marijuana dispensaries, authorities said. Researchers found such extreme levels of mold and spores in the homes, commercial offices and warehouses they tested that petri dishes and field-testing equipment “topped out” and couldn’t record the unexpectedly high levels, Martyny said. You can read the study’s findings here.
According to a press release jointly issued by the Colorado Drug Investigators Association (CDIA), National Jewish Health and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA):
(Martyny’s) research showed that in residential and commercial structures, it was difficult to control chemical contamination from pesticides and fertilizers. The study also showed that plant irrigation resulted in increased moisture that could damage building material, result in excessive mold growth and pose a risk of fire and electrocution. The study shows that highly-elevated airborne levels of mold spores within these structures subjected occupants, emergency personnel and other individuals to significant potential health hazards. Potential health effects include hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Another concern was elevated carbon dioxide levels which, if generated using fossil fuel combustion, can result in the production of carbon monoxide resulting in significant health effects, or death, to exposed individuals.
As for those “other individuals” cited above, count unsuspecting neighbors and office workers — and renters and homebuyers — among them, Martyny said. Again, from the press release, the study shows
… others may be impacted as well, particularly in multi-family buildings, which may allow chemicals used and mold spores to be introduced into ventilation systems, exposing other residents.
… Since these operations may go undetected, an unsuspecting family buying the residence at a later date may be put at risk of adverse health effects due to residual mold contamination.
And then there are children. Martyny reported that he and his research teams found grow operations in homes where children lived — and he minced no words:
“I personally would consider it child abuse,” he said. “Children living in an atmosphere like this are very likely to develop asthma and pulmonary disease they will carry for the rest of their lives. …I would be happy to testify for the district attorney’s office (that) the dangers are too significant to have children be in the grow ops.”
While Martyny’s research in Colorado focused on indoor marijuana grow operations, he said the same environmental harms could result from cultivation of similar densities of any plant, such as tomatoes or snap peas. But hardly anyone grows veggies in their basement. And while marijuana is legal to grow for medical purposes outdoors in Colorado, growers typically opt not to do so for several reasons. Chief among them:
- fears about theft and crime linked to their operations, and
- the difficulties of creating high-potency marijuana outdoors. Martyny cited numerous examples of indoor grow operations where utilities and air vents had been disconnected and/or reconfigured to adjust levels of carbon dioxide to increase the potency of the plants — bolstering assertions from law enforcement officers and medical researchers that much of today’s marijuana — especially once the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals is factored in — is not natural and contains harmful compounds unknown to users.
Martyny’s research is well respected in law enforcement circles. He has studied the environmental impact of illicit substance production — especially marijuana and methamphetamine (so-called “meth labs”) — for law enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States for more than a decade. First responders and officials charged with investigating and removing elements of indoor drug operations have experienced health problems from their exposure — one Colorado law enforcement officer was hospitalized in critical condition because of his work in a marijuana grow house — and also worried about long-term health risks associated with their work. Martyny’s research on indoor marijuana grow operations in Colorado — funded by a Justice Assistance Grant and money from Colorado’s police and sheriffs’ associations — also resulted in recommendations about how law enforcement officials should dress, equip and otherwise protect themselves while working in such environments.
Suuuuuuuure.
These are also the same legalization champions who are running around, telling everyone that if Amendment 64 passes, law enforcement authorities wouldn’t be able to criminalize people for possessing small amounts of the drug and using it at home. They’ll have to devote their law-enforcement resources elsewhere, we’re told.
Even if a grow operation isn’t a small amount of marijuana — which it most certainly isn’t — if the drug is legal, you can, indeed, bet that people will absolutely test any and all limits set by municipalities and counties. After all, they currently do — but, with legalization on their side, drug users and addicts will test the regulatory bounds of your county, your city, your neighborhood — and your neighborhood home association — like you have never seen. And you will pay for these legal skirmishes and the increased enforcement.
Many Coloradans haven’t begun to consider the regulation that would need to accompany marijuana legalization. They haven’t considered all of the regulatory frameworks that would need to be built to protect public health and safety — and I can assure you that Amendment 64 doesn’t begin to pay for any of it. Not even close. (I can’t wait to see where Colorado is going to find the money to pay for its scaled-down equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration just to regulate pot …)
With marijuana legalization chiseled into Colorado’s state constitution, law enforcement agencies will find it far more difficult to address the marijuana-related problems that stand to affect you, your family and your household. And your home’s value? Good luck with that.
This has happened to me, twice, the first apartment i was upstairs and the grower down stairs on the first floor, every morning i would wake up coughing to death like a 40 year smoker, i was always sick and coughed up lots of mucus. Now i moved into a complex and people grow cause i found a plant in the trash dumpster, and again i am coughing like crazy my dog is coughing like crazy, we now have to move again because it is Unbearable. And we have small children. My issue is police can NOT do anything unless they see someone smoke it outside, even though the smell fills my apartment every time i open my sliding glass door, NO One cares. I cant believe this is okay with the government. so many children will suffer because of this. yet more and more growers grow and more dispensaries open . Its always the good people that suffer.
I found this article interesting. I had wondered about any hazards with growing indoors.
I have to wonder about some of the people posting questions here. First off. I can sympathize since I have friends that don’t like the smells either. If you have an issue with a neighbor growing. Go talk to them. Most growers will work with you. One thing I have noticed is when you are growing. it is easy to get acclamated to the smell to the point you almost don’t smell it unless going into the grow room. I personally run a filter that is about 3 times larger than I need to keep the smells from bothering my neighbors. Most here know I grow, and I have asked them to let me know if they do smell any thing so I can work on fixing it before it is an issue. I am no expert by any means. But I doubt for the majority of indoor growers. There would be a mold issue. Again. I could be wrong. The reason I say this is that would be caused by high humidity. Some thing we try to avoid. And as most mention here. They smell the weed because fans are running all the time to keep the humidity down. I am in Ca. So we have a 6 plant limit. Inside or out unless you have a medical card. Then it is a 10′ x 10′ area. I grow to help a cancer patient and also a few other friends my self. Plus. I enjoy the challenge.
I would say go sit down with your neighbor and talk to them. And explain your concerns. I do believe there is no reason you should have to suffer because of some selfish person. Legal or not. I believe you treat others as you would like to be treated. If the person is not willing to work with you. I would talk to a lawyer and see what your options are. I would not be happy if I had to smell this un willingly my self. I hope all of you are able to work things out or all ready have. Your health is more important than some one growing weed.
I live in a apartment and my neighbors have a grow tent in their apartment. We share common walls. It’s a big tent about 6×10 and out apartments are only about 550 sq ft.
I am all of a sudden getting lots of mold smells in my apartment. Itchy eyes, fatigue and headaches. The mold smell used to only be in the kitchen are (common wall and where their grow tent is in their living room) but now it’s traveling to my bedroom. Another common wall. Could all this be coming from their apartment?
I have a grow op next to me. it has been in operation for a few years now. I have contacted the police about it and they don’t seem interested. I live in ontario. The past few years i have been awaken in the night by a horrible smell that turns out that he is venting his crop through his upstairs window where the grow op is. I have hollered at him for the smell and now they vent with some kind of odor, like roses, and pine, and stuff like that , It still does not mask the smell. I have developed lung problems since this has started, and am now on puffers. My Dr. knows of this and says it is damaging my lungs. My neighbors smell it also , however i am impacted more, as my bedroom window is right in line with the window he is venting out of… is there anything , anyone can think of that i can get this mater straightened up.. I desperately need help as my life is at risk here.
I’m in the UK and after weeks of being kept awake by a low bass coming through the ceiling and vibrations shaking my house for hours on end, discovered my neighbours had started a grow house. It’s illegal here, but it seems the police don’t care- even though they have an 18month year old child in the house. They have ruined my life- I went for over 13 weeks with barely any sleep and even when I politely asked them about the noise, denied it. They had no apprehension in offering me a ‘special brownie’ to help me sleep though! As I write, my lights are flickering, my sofa and table is vibrating and my head feels as if it’s going to explode from the bass. To simply get a night’s sleep, I had to go to a relatives and have had to get in to debt to try and move home. In the current climate, I have had to work from home and most days, I don’t know how I get through the day. When they ramp up the fans, I feel as if they’re slowly and painfully killing me. And what makes it worse is they know exactly what they’re doing and the police are doing absolutely NOTHING to stop them.
I suffer from Mycotoxin poisoning and almost died from it. This is due to mold exposure from a previous job. It has taken me 7 years to get well and live a somewhat normal life. My new neighbor moved in and it smells like a skunk and come to find out they have a grow operation in their home. I am really afraid I cannot have anymore exposure to mold it can kill me. I cannot use air conditioning in my house because I am affected by the air conditioner. I leave my windows open for the fresh it helps my health. I read your report on Health Effects Associated with Indoor Marijuana Grow Operations. Can this effect me in anyway since the grow operation is literally right next door? I am really scared!!!!
First, we’re very sorry you’re experiencing this. We recommend that you contact your local departments for public planning, building and zoning; housing; and health for resources — and that you communicate your concerns to officials there to influence future public policies.
I have suspected a grow OP next door for over 4 years not so much with any cannabis odours they have somehow masked this but the incessant noise of deep bass droning and vibrations, I suffer from sleep deprivation as a result, dizzyness headaches sometimes hayfever,red eyes for some reason the health effects are endless but here in the UK the authorities have done nothing it’s been absolute torture and hell for me living next door to such activities
I know this is an old post, but I came across this whilst endlessly searching the internet looking for some information/help/advice/ anything! I can completely relate to your post and it’s ruining my life! There’s not much help at all for this problem in the UK. Police don’t do anything at all. There is nowhere to go for help. Any help Please!!!!
Yes yes yes thank you I wasn’t sure of the connection. I’m experiencing the same effects from neighbors grow operation. recently a respiratory bacterial infection that is not responding to antibiotics. I’m allergic to penicillin and have 3 eppy pens for car house an purse. Lady bugs in my apt in Nov I live in the montana highline. The effects of my neighbors grow operations is killing me. Mt is a legal grow state and he works at a dispensary.
We live next to an indoor grow operation, they have several vents out the side of their garage etc, our houses are literally only 6 feet apart from eachother… the smell is constant and some days are way more stronger than others. It’s been in play for about 8 months. My husband has all of a sudden developed dizziness on a daily bases the last month, could the house next door be contributing to this at all. There are no other reasons for the unexplained onset. I myself have been getting more frequent headaches, as well as our kids complaining more and more of headaches. We cant even open our windows or sit on our patio because the smell makes us sick.
First, we are so sorry you are experiencing this. Have you contacted local officials within your departments of public health, housing, and planning, building and zoning? We would appreciate receiving an update from you.
Its now 2022 and as much as iv made the authorities aware of the ongoing cannabis manufacturing next door to me.. the authorities have done absolutely nothing ..my health such as dizziness, breathlessness, sleep deprivation itching eyes, asthmatic and constant chest infections have all taken its toll..over 7 years my neighbour’s have been allowed to carry on with there dealing and manufacturing of weed..l live in a small market town called liskeard Cornwall uk ..where authorities show no interest
Sil, I live in a town house development, with a unit above me. It was brought to my attention early last summer that they are growing Marijuana up there, since I have not seen it, it is hearsay.I have been affected by allergies for most of my life, but since summer this year I have an an increase in sneezing, coughing, drippy nose and eye and am experiencing extreme fatigue. My MD has done all kinds of test, nothing has shown up. He prescribed an allergy med for me in Dec and it has helped to a degree. Can the fatigue I am experiencing be related to their growing the marijuana in that unit.
We have received dozens of reports of similar symptoms from people who live within close proximity to grow operations. Have you been in touch with local authorities? We would appreciate receiving an update from you.
I too am interested about health effects with residential grow operation. My girl friend here in CA is allowing a guy to have a grow operation in the attached three car garage. The smell is ridiculous inside and out. My girl masks the inside smell with candles. I have heart disease & diabetes and now having headaches and chronic sniffing and chest pain.
My question is: can this shorten my life? I believe mold is an issue.
First, we are sorry you are experiencing this, and we hope you are receiving good care for you heart disease and diabetes. Please contact us again if you would like information about specialists in your area. We have “soft spots” in our hearts for people with diabetes because of the impact that illness has had on our our loved ones — and, by extension, us. As for your question: We know these indoor grows can lead to mold problems — and no number of scented candles is going to mitigate the negative impact mold can have on a person’s health. We hope you’ll look into having a building inspection service take a look at the property.
I have a daughter who is working in the indoor grow operation and she is having a hard time eating and getting stomach issues, We found out she had a seizure last week at home. I have been concerned for sometime now. She was in sales before in the pot store and they gave these “kids” all kids of edibles, CBD oils, and tars to try so they can let people know about the effects to expect…god knows what she has ingested and the long term health effects. She has no insurance where can I turn to in the state of WA?
First, we are terribly sorry you are experiencing this, and we, too, are concerned given what you have written. The Substance Abuse and Mental Heatlh Services Administration provides a 24/7 helpline that can connect you to treatment services, regardless of ability to pay for them. The number is 800-662-HELP. If you write back, and let us know what part of Washington in, Dr. T and I are also happy to tap into our personal network to help you identify a local addiction-treatment resource.
I live in Ontario, Canada and Marijuana has just become legal to purchase last week in the province. At the moment it can only be ordered from an Ontario Government website: ocs.ca and is delivered exclusively by Canada Post. The Marijuana is delivered to my mail room by postal workers, if the customer is not home when delivery is attempted. The mail room I work in is small (10’x 30′ or 3.048m x 9.144m), and the boxes have been coming in fast and furious for customers to pick up.
I have noticed over the past few days, that there is a smell emanating from the boxes – collectively (5.5″x 5.5″x 5.5″ or 16cm x 16cm x 16cm). It is very noticeable and at times overwhelming. I assume the boxes have well sealed packages inside, and the boxes appear well sealed on the outside. Over the past few days, working with and where the small boxes are stored, I felt light headed, irritable and slightly foggy when thinking. My questions are: Are there potentially any health concerns that I or my fellow should be aware of while handling these packages? Is proper ventilation now a concern for our mail room?
Such a good question — and one we had never considered. Thank you so much for writing to us because your question is bound to help others who are similarly worried. We’re going to reach out to some Colorado contacts and be in touch. But one thing we can write with certainty: You should push for more room ventilation if you’re experiencing lightheadedness. Please keep us posted about your experiences.
Dear Miss Tatum,
Here in Michigan we will be voting on the legalization of recreational use of marijuana next November. Our family had a marijuana grow house next door for a little over a year before the police put them out of business.It was a terrible experience for us. I am trying to put a letter together to send to our politicians about this insane concept of growing pot in residential areas and to not endorse any part of the pot advocate’s concept. would it be permissible to reference your article to these various city-county-state leaders ?
Thank you,
Ricardo Moreno
Please feel free to cite the information you find on DrThurstone.com to support your efforts to combat marijuana use and marijuana legalization. Thank you for reading.
24-7-365days a year,my heath is failing my home is being ruined,Im not able to think straight cant do much without hacking up out my lungs and that’s indoors,outside its so bad in mins you are sicker then hell.is there anyone to help,people run away when walking into area,the RCMP say they cant do anything about growops even 50to100 plants,the courts will not prosecute.the government gives me the runaround.i don’t want to die an early death from growops some out there should be able to help help help i feel like writeing help an infinet number of times but I’m a little tired been sleeping my life away bloody thanks cruel world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Antonovicz: Thanks for writing and sharing your experience with us. First and foremost, we are sorry you are experiencing these problems. Have you tried contacting your city’s office of planning, building and zoning enforcement? Officials there may have helpful information and/or be willing to send a code enforcement officer to your property to determine whether follow-up is warranted regarding the marijuana grow operations surrounding your property.
grow-ops all around me with 50 to 100 plants makes the air inside my home an outside unbearable outside you choke gag through-up in mins hacking clear flem from lugs inside headaces eyes nose throwt burning iching cant eat much cant sleep well loosing weight cant enjoy life it causes me bad joint an body tissue pain it is slowly sucking the life out of me there is no question if nothing is done soon to stop it I will probably die an early death buying smoking is not the same as living in the toxic discharge coming off big grow-ops I cant function or thinkright.
Our neighbors downstairs grow weed in the garage that is right under our bedroom, it is not fully unclosed. Whenever they have active growing, I suffer from extreme fatigue, migraine, allergies, difficulty breathing. I don’t know what to do. I’m in difficult financial situation and can’t move, but this is literally killing me and my toddler. I hate marijuana growers. I don’t care what adults drink or smoke, but indoor growing in residential areas should be illegal, just as making moonshine.
We live in an RV Park at property line next to a Marijuana processing facility, less than 100 feet away. We do not know exactly what operations take place in this building but we are exposed to the strong odor of Pot for many hours of every day and night. Both my wife and I have been experiencing strong sinus type headaches and we are concerned they may be caused by the almost continuous exposure to exhaust chemicals, mold spores, etc. We are both senior citizens.
Do you have any advice as to our situation. Is it possible that we are suffering from exposure? How can we have our situation evaluated? Thanks for any help.
Mr. Beck: First and foremost, we are very sorry you and your wife are experiencing this, and we want to help connect you with local resources that could take a look at your situation and provide more information. We will send you an e-mail directly to gather some information with hopes of being helpful.
I’m very interested in learning more about the relationship between indoor marijuana growth, mold growth, and chronic upper respiratory infections in small children. My grandson visits his grandparents at least every other weekend and they have an indoor grow room in a very small 1 bedroom apartment that my grandson is exposed to from a Friday night until a Sunday afternoon. And then somewhere between Monday and Wednesday after he has returned he ends up at the doctors with either ear infections, or croup, or fevers of unknown origin. I believe that it stems from the grow room, but most people look at me like I am crazy. Please help!!!
Thanks for sharing your experience and question with us. You are wise to look into this further. You may find more information from National Jewish Hospital in Denver, which specializes in the treatment of respiratory illness. Many researchers are also very approachable and happy to provide information about their work. This particular study’s co-authors are: Martyny, J.W.; Van Dyke, M.V.; Schaeffer, J.; and Serrano, K.
We also recommend that you contact the National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children: http://www.nationaldec.org/directory/91242/117624.
what chemicals are involved in marijuana production. Our neighbor has a larges scale operation in his shop. heat pumps, chemical barrels outside etc…. Our house smells like weed when we leave the windows open. my wife gets headaches from it. She just miscarried. could there be a link?
First and foremost, we’re so sorry you and your wife experienced a miscarriage. We also have known that sadness.
As for your questions about the chemicals involved in marijuana production: They are good ones, and the answers vary widely from operation to operation. We recommend that you contact the city in which you live — you could start with your local police department or building code enforcement division — to see if someone could visit your property to conduct an inspection that helps determine whether there is reason for follow-up.
I am currently trying to get authorities involved in protecting my 4 minor children to the dangers you have listed here for those being exposed to indoor marihuana grow houses. They visit with their dad who is growing over 40 plants year-round under the house. The house constantly rests of marijuana. I do not live on the property and have not been able to control this abuse because he claims to be using this operation for his “stress and insomnia”. If you have any further information that could help me protect my children, please contact me. I am in Southern California. Thank you for this article. I will pass it on to my attorney.