# Would it bother you if someone was smoking marijuana on the sidewalk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138 "2017-12-10T20:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/41 "2017-12-11T21:06:04Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > [Bullshit.](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/colorado/articles/2017-07-20/colorado-pot-tax-revenue-surpasses-500-million) Thanks for doing the googling. I had thought tax refunds were significant. And they are. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/42 "2017-12-11T21:41:48Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Same as with vapes and cigarette smoke: If there’s a cloud forming such that I have to walk through it and get that smell in my hair, I’m bothered. Otherwise, have at it. This^. A 30 minute walk along our beach will usually have a whiff coming from two or more different groups of folks. It might not be legal (yet), but it \*is \*commonplace. As somebody subject to DOT-mandated random drug testing at work I’m not too keen to walk through a big cloud of the stuff. Nobody in he industry seems to have any good info on just how much or little secondhand MJ it takes to have a career-ending surprise the next day. I understand this is an increasing concern in Denver where the air in the downtown outdoor shopping / restaurant district gets pretty pot-filled during the warm months. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/43 "2017-12-12T01:16:47Z")
Yes. That’s where people walk. And, unlike cigarette smoke, the smoke is psychologically active. I would prefer you smoke a bit away from any walkways. (And outdoors, but nearly all sidewalks are outdoors.) I’m not going to like, call the cops on you, even in a state where marijuana is still illegal. But please do not smoke in a pathway. Fortunately, I do not have lung problems. But both my parents do, so, for their sake, I say all smoking should be away from people if possible–well, other than those who choose to be there. Honestly, I’d hope for filters that actually work to come out. Or maybe a move to portable hookah-based systems that can recycle the vapor. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/44 "2017-12-12T01:56:19Z")
I for one would be really surprised. It’s strictly illegal here in Taiwan as well as Japan. One friend spent 30 days in jail up in Japan because the police found a single seed in his car. If I were back in the States, it wouldn’t bother me unless they are blowing smoke directly at me. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/45 "2017-12-12T13:52:03Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > [Bullshit.](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/colorado/articles/2017-07-20/colorado-pot-tax-revenue-surpasses-500-million) Colorado’s state budget is almost [$27B](https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=JN0vWrGwMMzbjwS1moyoAQ&q=colorado+state+budget&oq=colorado+state+budget&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l6j0i22i30k1l4.1344.5149.0.5329.22.15.0.6.6.0.335.2586.0j7j3j2.12.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..5.17.2544.0..35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1.0.RHE5MhrrXX0)a year. The $506 million you mention is over three years. What percentage of 27B is 170 million? The answer is, not much. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/46 "2017-12-12T14:08:00Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Colorado’s state budget is almost [$27B](https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=JN0vWrGwMMzbjwS1moyoAQ&q=colorado+state+budget&oq=colorado+state+budget&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l6j0i22i30k1l4.1344.5149.0.5329.22.15.0.6.6.0.335.2586.0j7j3j2.12.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..5.17.2544.0..35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20i264k1.0.RHE5MhrrXX0)a year. The $506 million you mention is over three years. What percentage of 27B is 170 million? The answer is, not much. > > Regards, > Shodan There’s also the redirecting of LE resources to other enforcement. Either there’s a savings or it’s more efficient. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/47 "2017-12-12T16:35:16Z")
As with others, assuming he isn’t being a jerk in some fashion it wouldn’t bother me at all. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/48 "2017-12-12T18:31:59Z")
I live in Idaho, and am not a fun person, so as far as I know I’ve never seen or smelled marijuana. However based on my reactions to other scents (tobacco, vaping, cleaning fluids, perfume) I suspect it would repel me. If you must pollute the air with your exhalations, do it in the privacy of your own hermetically sealed home. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/49 "2017-12-12T19:44:50Z")
I don’t like seeing or smelling people smoking illegally because it reinforces the negative stereotypes that have thankfully been fading a little in recent years. A person who smokes in front of me illegally is kind of putting me on the spot, aren’t they? I don’t know, so it would be polite if they didn’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/50 "2017-12-12T20:47:36Z")
I’m no apologist for the MJ crowd. But on the spot how? If you’re a policeman I can see your dilemma. Otherwise I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/51 "2017-12-12T21:46:23Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m no apologist for the MJ crowd. Is there still a “MJ crowd”? He’s been gone 8 years now. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/52 "2017-12-12T21:50:57Z")
**BigT** , smoke from tobacco and marijuana are both psychoactive, just in different ways. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/53 "2017-12-12T22:33:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > **BigT** , smoke from tobacco and marijuana are both psychoactive, just in different ways. Well, sort of. Psychoactivity comes from THC in cannabis. More THC = more “high.” Except for one of the other chemicals in cannabis. CBD. CBD offsets the psychoactivity, depending on the ratio of THC to CBD. If the ratio strongly favors THC, the user will experience the psychoactivity, it the ratio favors CBD, the user will get the same pain relief, absent the high. Even higher CBD cannabis or oils provide 0 psychiactivity and still provide 100% of the pain relief. Smoking now, that’s another thing. Soot, carbon monoxide, other unpleasant chemicals, etc. I would never smoke it. Figure out another way. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/54 "2017-12-12T22:42:36Z")
I’ve certainly got an issue with it when I’m driving behind them blazing while behind the wheel like I was last Saturday. I also think blazing up in public is an issue, particularly if you aren’t legally allowed to smoke tobacco in the same space. Otherwise, light er up and pass it along. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/55 "2017-12-13T06:17:35Z")
I was in WA a while back and walked through someone’s cloud outside my motel without it bothering me. If I were in a situation where it wasn’t a temporary exposure it might be a different story. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/56 "2017-12-13T16:26:54Z")
I’m not a fan of marijuana smoke, but my federal government has decided to legalize it so I’ll have to get used to it. My main concerns are aggressive smokers, those who use and drive, and people who decide my back alley is the perfect place to indulge. I’d hate for every festival and outdoor event to turn into something reminiscent of a 1960s office with clouds of smoke everywhere. That’s going to lead to fights and disputes, and lots of families just deciding to stay home because they don’t want their kids exposed. As a motorcycle rider it’s already fairly evident when people are smoking and driving, and they’re nowhere near as competent as they seem to think they are, so I hope police do crack down on them as has been threatened – even if it is a 20-minute roadside physical skills test. As for my back alley, I may get aggressive with my sprinkler. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/57 "2017-12-13T16:49:49Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > My main concerns are aggressive smokers, I smoke daily, both alone as well as with friends. I can’t remember _ever_ encountering an aggressive smoker. Is that even a thing? > [@Barbarian](#): > > As for my back alley, I may get aggressive with my sprinkler. OK, now _there’s_ an aggressive non-smoker. -leafy ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/58 "2017-12-13T20:27:52Z")
Having one’s vapours over vaping?🙂 > [@Chefguy](#): > > It bothers me as much as cigarettes bother me and for the same reason: the shit stinks. If you were in the Land of Noxiously Inferior Cigarettes (Canada), I think you’d take the pot smoke. > [@Mdcastle](#): > > Yes. It bothers me when I see people that have so little respect for society’s laws that they’re willing to commit a crime just because they want to get baked. Yes, the criminality is almost pants-shitting. > [@madsircool](#): > > Smoking and driving is about as dangerous as drinking and driving. > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Just so long as they aren’t driving while smoking. I don’t understand why some stoners I’ve met seem to think toking and driving is ok. Thats not ok, but aside from that have fun. I’m guessing neither you folks have driven while stoned? Been doing it for decades, myself. (no hubris there - just sayin) I laugh at those moronic TV ads showing some “stoned” kid, roadside with the fuzz, unsteadily trying to walk a straight line. If you’re seriously just as impaired driving stoned as when you’re drunk, then there is something unequivocally wrong with you. To even _think_ of making even the _slightest_ conflation between the two is incredibly, ridiculously misguided. Really? Do I seriously need to provide cites on this? > [@TokyoBayer](#): > > …it wouldn’t bother me unless they are blowing smoke directly at me. I was trying to think of a scenario where I could somehow finagle myself into the proximity of Beauregard (kinda like a mohawked Travis Bickle eyeing that mayoral candidate) so I could blow some into his face, but soon realised the absolute impossibility of such an endeavour, let alone the fact that if I _did_ pull this off, I’d probably get dog-piled and jack-booted faster than I could say “whasssssuuuuuuuuuuuuup!” > [@begbert2](#): > > …so as far as I know I’ve never seen or smelled marijuana. :eek: > [@Arrendajo](#): > > No, not bothered by it and here in Eugene I see it almost every day when I’m walking around downtown. It’s supposed to be illegal to smoke in public, but the cops obviously have better things to do. Ditto here in Victoria. Saw it everywhere here even before the dispensaries starting popping up, and Dang, after two years, I _still_ feel like a kid going into a candy store, going to one. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/59 "2017-12-13T20:44:29Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I just passed by a guy smoking a joint and walking his dog. It didn’t bother me at all. However, I live in a very busy urban area with few children. Plus, the guy picked up after his dog, so more power to him. It’s a blustery Chicago winter day and there was no odor. It would bother me, mostly because I’ve had neighbors who were stoners and also major pains in the ass. Call it guilt by association, but when I’ve had stoner neighbors (not people who may use discreetly on occasion, but people who are blatant about it), they have brought crime and other unpleasantness. I’ve been robbed exactly once: the perp was a guy there to buy from one of the stoners. Another set of stoners did about $15K of damage to their unit and brought in an infestation of mice; when the stoners moved out, so did the mice. On the other hand, I have some good friends who smoke and still manage to live fine lives. It’s not the weed that bothers me; it’s the shit I see associated with it when the use is blatant. Cleaning up after the dog would mitigate it a lot, though. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138/60 "2017-12-13T20:58:24Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > If you’re seriously just as impaired driving stoned as when you’re drunk, then there is something unequivocally wrong with you. To even _think_ of making even the _slightest_ conflation between the two is incredibly, ridiculously misguided. > Really? Do I seriously need to provide cites on this? You don’t have to - I will. [“Acute cannabis consumption is associated with an increased risk of a motor vehicle crash, especially for fatal collisions.”](http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e536) Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-bother-you-if-someone-was-smoking-marijuana-on-the-sidewalk/804138.md?page=4)