Should I Care if My Neighbors Dislike the Smell of Marijuana Smoke? | Westword
Navigation

Should I Care if My Neighbors Dislike the Smell of Marijuana Smoke?

"Should I have to stop a legal activity because it smells?"
Cartoon character smokes weed
Westword
Share this:
Dear Stoner: I live in a legal state and smoke weed in my living room sometimes, but my neighbor came to me in a huff about his kids smelling marijuana smoke while playing outside. What's your take? Should I have to stop a legal activity because it smells?
Mr. Rodgers

Dear Mr. Rodgers: If you're lighting up with the windows open so your house doesn't smell, then make sure you know where the smoke is drifting. Burning one at home is well within your rights, and there's a good chance that guy's an overbearing asshole, but it does pay to have good relationships with neighbors.
click to enlarge Man smokes joint in his home
Maria Levitov
People should know by now that they're going to smell pot more often after their state legalizes, and this guy's kids have probably seen or heard ads about cannabis already. Try to be cognizant of your neighbors and their kids by mindfully choosing when and where you smoke, and a few aromatic lines of defense wouldn't hurt. But there's only so much you can do. If he still comes knocking, you can either not answer or argue while stoned. Take option A.

Send questions to [email protected].
BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.