Smoking weed or just weed in general is an interesting subject in the US. For years there have always been debates on whether or not weed should be legalized. Today there are states where weed is still considered illegal. Then there are other states where weed was legalized. If you do not smoke weed, the smell can come off quite strong. Some people can even develop headaches just be inhaling weed smoke nearby. It is commonly known as second hand smoke. Thus you can imagine how tricky it can be if your neighbor smokes weed. Let us discuss scenarios like where a neighbor smokes weed and it comes into your house.
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If Smoking Weed Is Legal, Understand This
When smoking weed is illegal in your area then your neighbor will be breaking the law. You can of course try to engage them about the second hand smoke. If they corporate then the issue can be averted. However, if they are headstrong, you might have to tell the authorities. When smoking weed is legal it becomes a different story. In principle it means your neighbor will be entitled to smoke weed freely.
Thus second hand smoke drifting to your house might not necessarily be a crime per se. For as long as they are doing it on their property they are entitled to do so. It only becomes problematic if they are renting and their landlord enforced a no smoking weed clause. If they own the property or there is no such clause (if they rent), they are entitled to smoke their weed. Understanding this will help you engage the neighbor with the right mindset and attitude.
NB: Getting acquainted with applicable laws for your locations helps. There are states where second hand smoke drifting into someone’s house is considered a nuisance. In other states second hand smoke is labelled as a toxic contaminant. This means second hand smoke can be considered in several different ways depending on the state you are in. If there are state-specific laws on second hand smoke that gives you a solid basis to take action. It is your responsibility to find out and be well-informed.
Cordially Engage The Neighbor First
It is understandable that engaging your neighbor can be awkward or hard. However, in most cases that actually addresses the issue. Someone might not even realize that second hand smoke is drifting into your house. You can kindly point it out to them. You can even discuss on how best to address the situation. As in, give the neighbor room to explore alternative smoking spots. This engagement can occur smoothly if you do not do it as a confrontation. You also must not sound judgemental. That should be your first course of action in whichever scenario. Only explore other options after engaging the neighbor first.
Engage Their Landlord (If Neighbor Is Renting)
This depends on where exactly you stay but it is possible your neighbor could be renting. If they are renting then you could engage their landlord regarding the matter. The issue could be easy to handle if their lease agreement has a clause on smoking. Some landlords can include restricts on smoking or specifically smoking weed on their property. A neighbor can violate that because they will be taking advantage you. As in, you will not know the contents of the lease agreement. If the lease agreement is month to month, the smoking weed restriction can be easily added. That is if it had not been there before. Regardless, even if the restriction is not there, the landlord has a right to caution the tenant.
Consider Putting Up Mechanisms To Shield House
This will largely depend on the nature of your property and other variables. You could brainstorm how you can shield your house from the drifting second hand smoke. There are many possible ways to achieve this. A simple one can be to keep windows on the neighbor’s side closed. Another way can be to improve your ventilation or air conditioning. If say, the neighbor smokes the weed outside from a certain spot. You can figure out a subtle way to discourage them from smoking from that spot. These are some examples of things you can do to shield yourself from the second hand smoke. Strategize for your specific context.
Moving Out Might Be A Solution (If Possible)
Obviously this will not be possible for some scenarios. For instance you might be staying where you are under a long term lease. You could be staying where you are because you own the property. These are examples of scenarios where moving out will be out of the question. Having to move out, even when possible, is still an inconvenience. This is especially so when it is all due to a neighbor smoking weed and the second hand smoke affecting you. However, moving out could be the only solution in some cases.
Consider if you are staying in a state where smoking weed is legal. Then the neighbor might own the property or renting but with no smoking restriction. The neighbor might not heed your calls or concerns. The landlord might not even be forthcoming if you raise the issue with them. They might be no state laws making second hand smoke a basis for legal action. Such a set of circumstances can leave you helpless and thus moving out becomes your only escape.
Final Words
Never get used to second hand smoke if your neighbor smokes weed and it comes to your house. Due to fear of ruining relations one might hesitate to engage them. After all, engaging the neighbor can be uncomfortable for many. However, do not decide to get used to it. Second hand smoke is deadly, especially if inhaled regularly for a long time. Many non-smokers die due to ailments such as lung cancer whilst the smokers live on. Never take second hand smoke lightly. What is important is to address the situation amicably.