Lothian and Borders Police are aiming to 'weed out' people who grow cannabis.
The force is hosting the first of two seminars designed to educate the public about the issue of drugs cultivation.
The first “Weed Them Out” conference will be held in Newtongrange on Friday, with a second in Livingston on October 16.
The events are aimed at landlords, letting agencies and business managers and aim to encourage them to scrutinise letting properties more thoroughly.
Police also want to raise awareness of the impact illegal cannabis plantations can have on local communities.
Council and postal workers are also invited to take part. Officers aim to make them more aware of the tell-tale signs that indicate the presence of a drugs factory.
Inspector Derek Fairley added: “Cannabis cultivations are a serious risk, not only to the property they are sited within but to surrounding properties as well.
"The majority of cultivations fund other serious crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution and money laundering and Lothian and Borders Police are committed to ridding this menace from our society.
"It is vitally important that all members of our community are aware of the signs of a cannabis cultivation and work with us to create a safer environment.”
Lothian and Borders Police say that cultivations pose a major risk to properties. They are often gutted by those setting up drugs factories and often suffer further structural damage.
Officers say a private property used to produce drugs will suffer an average of £15,000 of damage.
A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police is committed to tackling the scourge of drugs within our local communities and one of the best ways to do that is to educate those very communities on the key issues surrounding various facets of the drugs trade.
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Scotland and the UK. Its commercial cultivation is a powerful tool in funding the various criminal activities of serious organised crime groups.”
