Residents have been issued with ‘scratch and sniff’ cards to recognise the smell of cannabis in a bid to crack down on the cultivation of cannabis in social housing.
Birmingham City Council has sent the cards to local residents to help identify and report the smell of cannabis. The cards - which contain no actual cannabis - also explain what other signs to look out for such as constantly covered or blocked windows, high levels of heat and condensation and constant lighting.
Selly Oak District chair, Cllr Karen McCarthy, said: ‘Cannabis is an illegal substance and we take a zero tolerance approach to those residents who cultivate it. As well as breaking the law, and leaving neighbours to endure its potent stench, this activity also causes other residents to lose out due to the cost of removing it.
‘Extensive repairs have to be made to neighbouring homes that have been flooded by watering systems used for home-grown cannabis farms, which often include major electricity work to the dwelling. This money could be put towards other resources that benefit people in the local community.’
Since October 2012, over 21 council properties have been identified as cannabis farms and almost 20 residents evicted for the crime.
