public's awareness of the smell of pot

[slidewayz]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has figured out how aware the public is of the smell of pot,

Sometimes, I like to go down to the local park with my friend and smoke a spliff in the late afternoon, this is around the time when some people are walking their dog, or whatever, maybe even some kids on the playground on the other side of the park.

We get very worried sitting at a park bench, thinking that everyone will be able to smell it, so usually we walk off down the street instead haha.

Anyone else have an opinion if a large proportion of people can recognise it? Or would most people just mistake it for cigarette smoke? Do you think you would need to have been exposed to it to some extent to be able to tell?

 

[Chainer]

It's a pretty distinct and recognizable smell. The only people you really need to *worry* about smelling it is law enforcement, and they certainly know what the smell is.

I would do my best to avoid smoking in public places that you would consider risky or possible to get caught - why take the extra risk? I'm not well versed in AU law, but I would assume you could get doubly fucked smoking in a playground or school zone, or at the very least, get hassled more.

I think this falls under the realm of common sense. People in your immediate area will most likely know what it is you are smoking, as just about everyone knows what cigs smell like, and your clouds of smoke do not smell like tobacco.

 

[ASquishyApple]

If you were a pot smoker you'd probably recognize it. But depending on how much weed you have in your spliff to tobacco, they would most likely mistake it for a cigarette. I've noticed that only those who smoke pot or are at least around it regularly tend to notice it. Others, like adults who used to smoke pot a lot a long time ago, notice the unusual smell but aren't able to recognize the smell.

Now cops would be able to recognize the smell but that's all of who i could think of that you'd have to watch out for. At the very least don't sit in one spot and smoke just in case someone calls the cops. There's always a risk though either way.

 

[SDforever420]

My moms boyfriend yelled at me once cuz he thought he smelt pot when he got home. Which it didnt at all. I thought he was kiddin untill my mom asked me about it. He really thought i was baked cuz i was watchin tv and eating dinner. And this guy use to smoke weed. But most people i KNOW that smell. Think about this. Most people who dont smoke most likely has a family member who does hence they probably know wat it smells like. Hell i knew wat it smelled like when i was 6 lol

 

[slidewayz]

It's a pretty distinct and recognizable smell. The only people you really need to *worry* about smelling it is law enforcement, and they certainly know what the smell is.

I would do my best to avoid smoking in public places that you would consider risky or possible to get caught - why take the extra risk? I'm not well versed in AU law, but I would assume you could get doubly fucked smoking in a playground or school zone, or at the very least, get hassled more.

I think this falls under the realm of common sense. People in your immediate area will most likely know what it is you are smoking, as just about everyone knows what cigs smell like, and your clouds of smoke do not smell like tobacco.

I am not too worried about law enforcement, because it's a quiet and small park, hidden away, so police would have to have a specific reason to be near there in the first place.

But I do have respect for the people, and I don't want them to feel uncomfortable because they can smell pot and whatever. Or I don't want a confrontation, where they approach me to tell me off for smoking in a park or whatever, where there are kids.

Don't get me wrong, we sit as far away as possible from the playground/kids, but yeh.

So you think the majority would be able to tell I'm smoking something dodgy?

EDIT: on the other hand, squishy seems to not think so...

 

[Damien]

But I do have respect for the people, and I don't want them to feel uncomfortable because they can smell pot and whatever.

Exactly. I'm legal under my state's medical cannbis laws and I feel this way in my back yard because of my neighbors. It's just common courtesy I think.

 

[SDforever420]

First off if someone reports that they think they see people smokin a joint in the park im pretty sure that gives the police a reason to come there. Second. sometimes people see wat they wanna see. someone see you guys passin wat looks like a cig back and forth might just think its a cig. Someone else might think holy shit there puffin the magic dragon. Even if it was a plain old cig and your as far away from these people as you say someone might still think its a joint cuz all they can see is you passing a smokin object to each other. Bottomline some people care some people might ask for a toke

 

[slidewayz]

Some good points there SD, but, if there are people around, we try to be very subtle in the passing, and perhaps have a cig going at the same time, so you cant tell there has been a trade if you don't see the actual trade.

I'm not too worried about people calling the police, because I don't think the people around here would bother, at worst they would come up and say something and tell me off.

Also, from my research, pot is decriminalised here in Victoria, Australia, but if any locals can confirm/deny this, please do. So not a big worry if police come.

Details are off the top of my head: two warnings are allowed if caught with less than 50 grams of pot. By warning, I think it means a fine, after then it's a court appearance.

 

[SDforever420]

Sorry didnt realize you were from aussie. I guess i should have guessed when you said spliff lol. not hatin on you or anything i just never see that where im from. Anywho. I dont know the laws there but around here if you got caught smokin near or at a park your double fucked. Just remember it only takes one nosey person and a dick cop to get locked up. You may think you will get off wit a warning but your in a park remember. Again i dont know the laws there

 

[cssss]

I am not too worried about law enforcement, because it's a quiet and small park, hidden away, so police would have to have a specific reason to be near there in the first place.

Haha you sound exactly like me and my buddies! I doubt anybody would have the heart to call the cops on us, we just sit on a bench, listen to music and chat. Even put all our rubbish in the bin. To avoid people though we just go as soon as it gets dark. No kids, no anybody, no worries. Actually, the car park always has cars pulling up in it, pretty sure dodgy shit goes down in it all the time haha.

 

[weesassy_smoker]

yea man i agree with what everyone sayin but at same time even tho weed smells potent i must say i rolls splifs for weneva i go walkies, n i live in the city so always folk around...have never had any hassel xcept for random geezers wantin a toke!! lol!! honestly as much as i appric8 where u comin from recon ur jus experiencin the fear cos u kno that its publically "frowned" upon!!! lol... i say toke away don't let the fear take u down also i recon the more blatent and confiedant u do it then the less dodgey u look...ie smokin in back alleys or waiting for cover of darkness makes u look like u upto no good!! lol...hope u say stuff society n free the weed!!!!!! peace!!!xxx

 

[MistaJeff]

Some strains smell very similar to the odor a skunk makes. This is only helpful when you are in an area that has skunks but people who don't smoke weed seem to have a hard time distinguishing the two smells. I don't have a problem telling them apart; weed smells more pleasant than skunk but but very similar. I've been able to pass off the smell of weed as skunk before, but there are plenty of skunks in northern California.

 

[anarchogen]

some one should patent a filter tube with material inside that would absorb most of the smoke (and smell) like a modestly thick pillow does. it would be useful for public smoking.

 

[Tromps]

some one should patent a filter tube with material inside that would absorb most of the smoke (and smell) like a modestly thick pillow does. it would be useful for public smoking.

Try dryer sheets

 

[anarchogen]

Try dryer sheets

aren't those sprayed with chemicals and shit?

 

[SDforever420]

^^ take a empty roll of toilet paper or paper towels. Grab about 5 dryer sheet or however many you want. get a rubber band or tape and put the sheets around one side. and there ya go. blow your smoke in it. It wont completely get rid of the smell but it help a lot

 

[rockstarbliss]

Kush is my cologne

 

[Mafioso]

in my area most people i meet who don't smoke atleast know the smell. nearly everyone i know either blazes or has friends that burn. its also a distinct smell so it stands out and is easy to identify. my friends that don't smoke or rarely smoke have told me that i reek of bud a couple times when i had nothing on me.

the only thing you have to worry about people smelling your smoke is that they will call the cops. the cops probably wont show up if someone calls and says that there are people smoking weed at a park, but they might start patrolling it. walking while you smoke is probably a better idea, but really i've gotten away with smoking a couple bowls in a crowded gas station parking lot.

 

[purple_cloud]

Some strains smell very similar to the odor a skunk makes. This is only helpful when you are in an area that has skunks but people who don't smoke weed seem to have a hard time distinguishing the two smells.

Yes, lots of skunks where I am, but as a stoner I know the difference...although it can be difficult to tell sometimes. The skunk is more pungent I think, especially when you're smoking outside the smoke seems to dissipate much quicker than nasty skunk odor.

The public is quite aware of it, and usually doesn't care very much. However, I also suggest not just hanging out in one place, walking around tends to be better.

 

[Spoken Word]

Exactly. I'm legal under my state's medical cannbis laws and I feel this way in my back yard because of my neighbors. It's just common courtesy I think.

Hmm. I'm very courteous and smoke all the time in my back yard. The smell probably wafts to my nieghbors but I don't feel bad at all about it. Firstly, they don't know it's me and secondly, I'm enjoying my back yard.

Police came into my back yard once and we were smoking and I told them to wait for me outside. I know my rights and police cannot search my backyard without a warrant.
Another instance, I went out front to bring in my garbage can and a cop told me that i must smoke GOOD stuff cause of the smell.

For these reasons, I consider my back yard a safe haven. I also think my neighbors don't mind. It's just a smell.

Although if i lived in a building, i'd think twice about smoking on my balcony.