I doubt the cops are going to follow up on some tip from the bum you kicked out over a few plants.
The cops can't just raid you because someone told them you were growing plants. If that was the case they'd be busy 24/7 kicking in doors based of tips from chumps like the guy you kicked out or from some disgruntled ex-girlfriend. And it wouldn't just be for growing cannabis. What if someone said you were dealing meth or having dogfights in your garage? They have to have probable cause. One person saying you were doing this or that is not probable cause. They would have to conduct an investigation, obtain evidence, get a warrant, etc... Highly unlikely they are going to waste their time even if they did think you were growing a few plants. It's just not worth their time.
In the case with the thief you allowed to live in your home they would ask what his relationship was to you and as soon as they found out that he was a former roommate you kicked out they'd likely tell him to take a hike and forget all about it. If they did kick in your door based off the word of one unhappy thief you kicked out it would be a violation of your constitutional rights and likely easily beaten in court.
Exactly - depending on where you live, you may be surprised what's going on around you - As a Dad, I still cringe at the sex offender map!
I'm in SoCal, so we're legal; but I was a bit shocked when I gave some to a couple of generationally local neighbors.
They had no idea I was growing (guess the filter failure wasn't that bad after all!); but I had no idea that nearly my whole neighborhood has a plant or two!
4th Ammendment
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
I mentioned a swell in homeless population, but really mean to watch for new people in your neighborhood.
edit - and vehicles. Still sorry AT&T guy.
If I were in a place with harsh penalties, I'd probably not grow (I didn't even smoke for years).
If I knew it was a slap on the wrist for 1 plant - honestly, I'd do it.
I keep my grows legal here.
in the early '90s, someone I knew was in the San Fernando Valley; a week or two before the door was kicked in, he noticed that there were a bunch of new homeless people around the house - more than the usual 1 or 2. You see where I'm heading.
Sometimes you're NOT just paranoid.*
*or it could just be my over active imagination and poor memory.