Clean the Air: Weed Etiquette for Roommates

The legalization of marijuana has freed those who use cannabis regularly and live in states where it has recently become legal. While recreational marijuana has removed many difficulties and obstacles for those who indulge in smoking weed, it has created some new challenges and magnified some existing conflicts. One area that has become more and more complicated is weed etiquette around the house when you have a roommate.

Having a roommate certainly has its pros and cons: they’ll split your rent, walk your dog, and listen when you have something (or nothing) to say. However, there are some downsides to living with another person, especially if you both don’t lead similar lifestyles or have different views on cannabis use at home. If you have a roommate, you might be wondering what proper weed etiquette is these days as we enter this new age of cannabis freedom.

Check the rental agreement

Before asking yourself what is polite or rude, you should first determine what is allowed and what is forbidden in your rental. More and more accommodations have very clear policies on smoking. Smoking bans don’t just apply to cigarettes. They can also apply to marijuana and don’t necessarily have to specify the type of smoking as long as they specify the rules.

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According to the legal website no“A clear no-smoking policy prohibits all forms of smoking, including smoking marijuana for medical reasons.” This policy of non-tolerance to smoking is quite serious.

RELATED: How to smoke marijuana in an apartment without being evicted

If you’ve signed the lease and agreed to the no-smoking policy, violating it can land you on the street. “A landlord who includes a no-smoking policy in a lease may terminate or terminate the tenancy of a smoking tenant,” the article continues. Make sure you know your lease and the fine print, especially if you have a roommate or neighbor who is likely to turn you on to your landlord for smoking.

Keep things ventilated and prevent secondhand smoke

Once you’ve determined what’s allowed and what’s not, you can move on to the “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts” of smoking weed if you have a roommate. One thing to always look out for before lighting a joint at home is proper ventilation. Proper ventilation prevents smoke from circulating throughout the home. It is best to smoke with the window open and the fan switched on.

This is important as your roommate may be concerned about smoking second-hand marijuana. Getting high from secondhand smoke or failing a drug test is unlikely unless you’re in an enclosed space with a lot of marijuana smoke. That’s not to say that a strong scent won’t upset or worry your roommate, especially if he or she has to pass a drug test at some point.

Corresponding Hearth line“It is very unlikely (perhaps even impossible) that catching a whiff of marijuana scent through your apartment window or entering a room where someone was smoking a few hours ago will affect you at all.” Proper ventilation and taking care of it Having the smoke flow out the window as far as possible helps keep things safe and quiet.

RELATED: The essential guide to smoke-proofing your home

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kill the smell

Ventilation also helps get rid of the smell, and smell can be the biggest annoyance of a roommate who doesn’t smoke weed. If marijuana smell and use are causing a household nuisance, do your best to eliminate the problem. Chances are, the smell of weed and accessories is the number one source of frustration for your roommate. Hold your weed and accessories stowed away Staying out of sight in your room is always the best guideline to keeping the home looking (and smelling) good for everyone.

As we did before reportedthere are all sorts of ways to get rid of and hide the smell of weed, from fragrance sprays to open windows, and you can even make a spoof!

Keep in mind that even if weed is legal in the state you live in, it doesn’t mean you should hotbox your apartment, especially if you have roommates. If marijuana smoke is a point of contention between you and your roommate, consider alternatives such as vaping or edibles. After all, marijuana is designed to relieve stress in your life, not cause it.