There is an interesting debate in California right now involving Prop. 19 that will be voted upon this month. The bill would allow local jurisdictions to regulate their own taxation on production of marijuana, make marijuana legal for those aged 21 and over, and allow adults to grow pot in small plots in their homes. What does this have to do with mold remediation and mold removal?
Opponents of Prop. 19 are now pointing to their own study analyzing the impact of legalizing marijuana in California. They say that Prop. 19 could cause homeowner’s insurance rates to skyrocket and landlords and property owners could potentially lose millions if the proposition passes.
They argue that by allowing residents to grow their own marijuana, they would also be growing toxic black mold. “Stachybotrys mold needs four things to grow and turn into a deadly toxin known as Black Mold: Wood and other forms of cellulose such as plant matter, water, heat, and air,” says Alexandra Datig of nipitinthebud2010.org, “Stunningly, indoor marijuana cultivation offers all four.”
The investigation also points out that the three most dangerous straings of Aspergillus fungus, fumigitus, flavus, and niger, naturally exist in marijuana plants.
Prop. 19 Opponents are emphasizing the impact of toxic mold growth in order to defeat the bill. The consequences extend to health, to property damage, to rising insurance rates.
Property owners have no recourse against current tenants who legally grow their own medical marijuana, and can only prosecute them for vandalism after the damages is done.