THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Condo towers are seen under construction in an aerial view, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday May 16, 2018.

VANCOUVER — Homeowner groups need to quickly establish rules for marijuana growing and consumption in an effort to nip any problems in the bud, say lawyers who specialize in property law. Robert Noce, a partner with Miller Thomson LLP in Edmonton, said the most common troubles in condominium, townhouse and other mixed-use properties will likely be the smell of smoke and potential mould from growing cannabis. "I suggest that you have an absolute prohibition of smoking and/or vaping in the units and on property, together with an absolute prohibition on the growing of marijuana in the units," Noce said. Earlier: Ottawa rejects Senate limits on growing pot at home. Story continues below.

A majority of condo boards, he said, have been amending their bylaws ahead of Oct. 17 when recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada. Different provinces have different rules for smoking, and growing cannabis plants at home for personal use. In British Columbia, almost all condos already prohibit smoking of cigarettes, said Tony Gioventu, executive director Condominium Home Owners' Association of British Columbia. "So smoking or cultivation with marijuana is an easy modification for most buildings." He said the same rules that are applied to cigarettes can be applied to marijuana, adding that a "vast majority" of condos will adopt bylaws that prohibit growing and smoking cannabis in their private homes. "B.C. is quite far ahead with lifestyle bylaws," he said. Rules vary by province Local laws in Alberta are to be followed for cannabis consumption, and growing cannabis is limited to four plants depending on restrictions from landlords. In Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories smoking will be allowed on private property and in private residences, but landlords can restrict cultivation and smoking. In Prince Edward Island cannabis use will be restricted to private homes. In Quebec, marijuana can be smoked where cigarette smoking is permitted. A person's home is their castle. In a condo complex, the castles are so close to each other. This is what the struggle is.Rodrigue Escayola Rodrigue Escayola, a partner with the law firm Gowling WLG in Ottawa, pointed out that while the federal government is responsible for legalization, it's been left to provinces, municipalities and condo boards to make their own rules. A majority of condo owners in Ontario want their boards to regulate marijuana use and growth, Escayola said. "They want some certainty and they want to know that they will be protected against nuisance." He said condos, generally speaking, are moving towards a smoke-free environment, and legalization of cannabis is simply accelerating that.

Getty Images/iStockphoto Marijuana plants require a lot more water, heat and light, which are drawn from the common grid, so everyone's utilities are affected, a lawyer says.