Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2018
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2018 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Page: A12

STOP THE SMOKE

It's tough to imagine a situation where it would be fair for a
landlord to change a tenant's lease mid-term. But the impending
legalization of pot consumption this summer is one.

Ontario landlords are understandably concerned that recreational users
may smoke weed in their units once it's legal, leading to a deluge of
complaints from other tenants when the fumes inevitably end up in
their suites.

Not only would the second-hand marijuana smoke be an annoyance,
parents would be rightly concerned that it will get into the lungs of
their children.

It could also be expensive. According to one estimate, it can cost
$5,000 to $6,000 to get the smell of weed out of an apartment.

So it's no wonder Ontario landlords are asking the province to give
them the right to open existing leases to ban marijuana from being
smoked in their units.

Right now they have the right to do that (as they can forbid cigarette
smoking), but because pot is illegal they haven't bothered. This isn't
a small issue. Fully a third of Canadians are renters. John Dickie,
president of the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, says
he would like to see legislation that would impose an automatic ban on
marijuana smoking in rental units unless the landlord and tenant agree
otherwise.

That could be complicated, but however it is done this is one case
where the Ontario government should find a way to support landlords.

It's true it puts recreational pot users who live in rental units in a
bind. That's because under rules announced in the fall, the province
plans a ban on recreational pot consumption in public spaces and
workplaces, allowing it only in private homes. (Medical marijuana will
be permitted anywhere cigarette smoking is allowed.)

But that could be solved if the province permits designated outdoor
smoking or vaping areas in multi-unit residences, a proposal it is
currently seeking public feedback on.

Landlords could also set aside designated marijuana lounges with a
separate ventilation system, while still banning the smoking of weed
in their units.

Since pot smokers are a minority of the population, it only makes
sense to protect the majority from marijuana fumes seeping into their
homes.

The province should help landlords out on this issue - if only to
protect most tenants.
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MAP posted-by: Matt