# Pot smoking neighbors - what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 16, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808 "2010-11-16T01:13:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/101 "2010-11-17T20:25:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They should deal with violent crimes before they deal with people whining about being able to smell pot. They can’t do both at the same time? What is this Mayberry? I’m pretty sure the police department has more than one guy on the foce. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > All I know is that not one person ever _told_ me I smelled like pot. I do not find it plausible that so much pot smoke is seeping out from one apartment and into another that the resident of the second apartment is becoming sufficiently redolent to arouse comment from others. So because it never happened to you it couldn’t possibly have happened to other people. Are we in for another exciting episode of the Dio show? Tune in to find out. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/102 "2010-11-17T20:53:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > All I know is that not one person ever _told_ me I smelled like pot. I do not find it plausible that so much pot smoke is seeping out from one apartment and into another that the resident of the second apartment is becoming sufficiently redolent to arouse comment from others. Oh, goodie. “I’ve never experienced this, therefore it’s impossible and anyone who claims to have experienced it is exaggerating, mistaken, or lying.” Yeah, I can’t \*imagine \*why no one can stand you anymore, **Dio**. It’s certainly not like that’s your default position about everything these days. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/103 "2010-11-17T20:54:30Z")
> [@Paranoid\_Randroid](#): > > Oh, and while I’m here: Let’s assume for a moment that he writes the truth. His home and clothes smell of an unpleasant, almost certainly illegal substance. There are posters seriously suggesting _that he move away_? Seriously? His neighbors aren’t the Chinese government and his apartment isn’t Tiananmen Square; not every conflict calls for martyrdom on the part of the aggrieved. > > If you _don’t_ believe he’s telling the truth, then everything is moot and advice is wortheless. In either case “move out” is a terribly silly suggestion. Sheesh. Killing himself would also almost certainly solve his problem; though I’m not recommending he do so. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/104 "2010-11-17T21:21:06Z")
When I was living in the dorm we did have to rat out a neighbor who was smoking pot like this. I don’t mind the smell of pot, but it seeped into our room rather like the PO, permeating everything we owned, and we were forced to keep the windows open even in the winter for a while. He smoked it seemingly all night, every night, and of course he stank and all of the carpets in the hallways stank. What is this weird insistence that pot smokers don’t smell? Of course you do. ---
**Author:** ![little\_bit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@little\_bit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_bit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/105 "2010-11-17T21:22:08Z")
I used to live in a house that was converted too. The problem with them is they share heating vents more directly than normal apartments. The vent from the first floor apartment’s dining room used to empty into my friends closet & her clothes constantly smelled like skunk/weed. She solved the problem by losing her mind in the hallway & threatening to skin their pets (I don’t think they actually owned any) and burn their bodies in front of their door. Fear seems to be a great motivator in behavior modification. People will do a lot to keep the crazies from coming after them. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/106 "2010-11-17T21:22:29Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > All I know is that not one person ever _told_ me I smelled like pot. I do not find it plausible that so much pot smoke is seeping out from one apartment and into another that the resident of the second apartment is becoming sufficiently redolent to arouse comment from others. Honestly, I don’t recall anyone ever telling me I reeked of cigarette smoke when I smoked cigarettes, either. Doesn’t mean I didn’t reek of cigarette smoke, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/107 "2010-11-17T21:48:01Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Honestly, I don’t recall anyone ever telling me I reeked of cigarette smoke when I smoked cigarettes, either. Doesn’t mean I didn’t reek of cigarette smoke, though. In many cases, a person who smokes pot also smokes cigarettes. Done more often, maybe the smell of the cigarette smoke overwhelms the smell of pot smoke and people aren’t generally going to tell a person they smell like (cigarette) smoke because what’s the point. However, I was a pharmacy technician in the U.S. Navy and lived with a pot smoker for almost three years who smoked often and very near me (as described above), and I’ve never been told I smell like pot smoke. This is remarkable because I didn’t smoke cigarettes; I worked around sailors who were not likely to be pot smokers (able to more keenly detect the smell); and, if I did smell like pot smoke, someone _would have_ told me, especially officers and department heads. They have a duty to assure their sailors aren’t using illicit drugs. I’m not necessarily defending any position here; just relating a factual case which may be relevant. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/108 "2010-11-17T21:51:19Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > They can’t do both at the same time? What is this Mayberry? I’m pretty sure the police department has more than one guy on the foce. “10-97, I’ve located the suspect and the missing girl. Request immediate backup!” “Negative, be advised, we have a code 420 at Herb Gardens Apartments.” “10-4, I’m on my way. Sorry, kid… looks like this isn’t your night.” ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/109 "2010-11-17T21:57:03Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > I’m not necessarily defending any position here; just relating a factual case which may be relevant. Honestly, I’m completely confused as to what your point is here. It seems to be “I lived with a pot smoker and no one ever said I smelled like pot,” but then you get into the weird cigarette sidetrack. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Sorry, kid… looks like this isn’t your night. Oh **VT** , never leave. ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/110 "2010-11-17T22:09:56Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Honestly, I’m completely confused as to what your point is here. It seems to be “I lived with a pot smoker and no one ever said I smelled like pot,” but then you get into the weird cigarette sidetrack. **pulykamell** said, in response to **Dio** , that [paraphrasing] “it’s not unusual that nobody tells you you don’t smell like pot smoke because I smell like cigarette smoke and nobody ever tells me.” The point is that someone is more likely to tell you you smell like reefer because it is illegal, taboo, and less common. What’s the point of telling someone they smell like cigarette smoke? Is it likely they don’t know? Are they likely to quit? So, someone not telling me I smell like pot when I smoke pot is much more remarkable than someone not telling me I smell like cigarettes when I smoke cigarettes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Crap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.crap/32/3131_2.png) [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/111 "2010-11-18T01:05:24Z")
I use marijuana everyday because I’m very cool and the smell can be quite potent, especially if you’re using already-been-vaporized marijuana or a synthetic. If you’re feeling generous, suggest that your neighbor purchase a vaporizer before you go to your landlord or the police. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/112 "2010-11-18T01:54:17Z")
> [@kafoo](#): > > I live in a house that was converted into apartments, with 4 on each floor. Someone on the floor downstairs is smoking so much pot that it makes the hallways smell, sometimes creeps into my apartment, and leaves me smelling like pot sometimes when I’m leaving my place. What do I do? Call the cops about it? Tell the landlord? It’s getting annoying when people tell me I reek of pot. You should leave anonymous note asking him to at least smoke his shit outside. If he fails to comply, call the cops. I don’t lile going to work smelling like pot either. That’s why I use a vaporizer. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/113 "2010-11-18T14:45:38Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > **pulykamell** said, in response to **Dio** , that [paraphrasing] “it’s not unusual that nobody tells you you don’t smell like pot smoke because I smell like cigarette smoke and nobody ever tells me.” > > The point is that someone is more likely to tell you you smell like reefer because it is illegal, taboo, and less common. What’s the point of telling someone they smell like cigarette smoke? Is it likely they don’t know? Are they likely to quit? So, someone not telling me I smell like pot when I smoke pot is much more remarkable than someone not telling me I smell like cigarettes when I smoke cigarettes. I think neither is all that common - when I smoked, I never had anyone _tell_ me my clothes stunk of smoke, and I _know_ that they did. I suspect most people would be even more reluctant to tell a person that they stink of weed, for the very reason that smoking it is illegal, and so it is effectively an accusation of criminal behaviour - and one which cannot easily be proved. But just because people aren’t telling you that your clothes smell, doesn’t mean that they don’t smell. Those who smoke themselves, or who are otherwise habituated to it, are simply that - habituated. They don’t notice it unless the smell is really extreme. The un-habituated are _considerably_ more sensitive. When I was a teen, and pretty well all of my friends lived in tiny basement apartments, the "thing’ was to disguise the smell of pot by - burning incense. This did not really work, what you got was a sickly mixture of stale pot and incense, but it provided plausible deniability. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/114 "2010-11-18T15:39:54Z")
The point is that it’s not believable that people are constantly _telling_ the OP he smells like pot. Even if it were true that he reeked (which I still believe is implausible under the circumstances described), people don’t typically _tell_ people they smell like pot. I also still don’t find it believable that they would just casually keep hitting a bong in view of the hallway when the door was open. Potheads are paranoid. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/115 "2010-11-18T16:26:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The point is that it’s not believable that people are constantly _telling_ the OP he smells like pot. Even if it were true that he reeked (which I still believe is implausible under the circumstances described), people don’t typically _tell_ people they smell like pot. > > I also still don’t find it believable that they would just casually keep hitting a bong in view of the hallway when the door was open. Potheads are paranoid. Maybe not complete strangers, out of politeness. But it’s not unbelievable that his buddies or coworkers might say, “Dude, you smell like weed.” The guy across the hall from my dorm room my freshman year of college certainly didn’t care what was in plain view inside his room with the door open. Tokers can be paranoid, but they can also be carefree. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/116 "2010-11-18T16:38:02Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The point is that it’s not believable that people are constantly _telling_ the OP he smells like pot. Did he say that? In the OP: “leaves me smelling like pot sometimes when I’m leaving my place.” That’s a far cry from “everyone constantly tell me I smell like pot.” You seem to have misremembered his claim and are basing your argument on that misrepresentation. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/117 "2010-11-18T16:40:50Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Did he say that? Yes. > [@](#): > > In the OP: “leaves me smelling like pot sometimes when I’m leaving my place.” That’s a far cry from “everyone constantly tell me I smell like pot.” You seem to have misremembered his claim and are basing your argument on that misrepresentation. Read the last sentence of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/118 "2010-11-18T16:55:29Z")
OP: “It’s getting annoying when people tell me I reek of pot.” Yeah, that’s \*\*\*still \*\*\*not “everyone constantly tells me I smell like pot.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/119 "2010-11-18T18:54:26Z")
IIRC, **Dio** claims it’s [perfectly safe to drive while baked](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12703076&postcount=53). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808/120 "2010-11-18T19:03:15Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > IIRC, **Dio** claims it’s [perfectly safe to drive while baked](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12703076&postcount=53). > 😉 The article says that people drive better. “Sorry sir, but unfortunately your drug test came back negative for THC. We can’t give you the school bus driver job.” ETA: For the record, I do think that some people can drive perfectly fine on pot. But definitely not everybody. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pot-smoking-neighbors-what-to-do/560808.md?page=7)