Should I reply to this email?
October 14, 2013 4:33 PM Subscribe
I received a message from my property manager complaining about cigarette and pot smoking in my building/near my apartment. I live in a mid-rise building in Chicago, and 2-3x a week will partake in the latter activity (do not smoke cigarettes at all).
My email was the only address listed, but it may have been separately sent to others to retain confidentially. Full text reproduced below:
"Dear Resident-
I was notified of cigarette and pot smoke in the building and am sending this to a few apartments around where the smoke is. This is not a non-smoking building; you are allowed to smoke cigarettes in your apartment but we ask you to be neighborly by smoking outside, out an open window and/or using an air purifier. Smoking pot is illegal and will not be tolerated."
Would like to note the following:
-I consider myself a respectful smoker, as I do as little as I can to stink up the apartment/hallway; towel under the main door, windows open, apply air freshener afterwards (which I'm aware doesn't necessarily COVER the scent but still helps). I'm always very paranoid and aware when I have friends over who partake that they follow my rules and be respectful regarding noise etc.
-I typically blow the smoke out the window so it won't affect my apartment as much, but now I realize this may be irritating nearby neighbors who have open windows as well. I even used to do the whole "dryer sheets inside paper towel roll" thing, but don't know how much that would help since there is still an aroma.
-As the email states, cigarette smoking is legal in the building but somewhat discouraged. Sometimes in my hallway I can smell either cigarette/cigar smoke; I've observed my neighbor smoking cigars on his balcony so I typically attribute this to him or others. When I've returned to my apartment after marijuana usage, I would describe the smell outside my door as faint at best, and much more noticeable when you enter. I have heard my neighbors across the hall (loudly) discuss weed smoking at points, but rarely notice an external smell in the hallway from either of us.
-This is the first complaint I have received living in this building for over 3 years now, and my usage has been fairly consistent over that period. If it matters, the property manager is relatively new to the building, but I doubt the previous one would not have passed along similar complaints.
-Unsure if the complaint came from someone on my floor OR an apartment above/below me since the smoke is often blown outside. I include this because it addresses the problem of why this is an issue and who it's ultimately affecting. While I may not respect the illegality of pot, I do respect the rights of my neighbors to not be bothered by those who choose to toke up.
-Not that I think it would help much anyway, but not interested in investing in vaporizers/other expensive technology in the future.
My direct questions:
1) Is it worth responding to this email in any capacity? If do, what would you recommend I say?
2) How should I proceed going forward? Is it time for me to strictly change my habits and have a zero tolerance policy in my apartment? Or is there any "wiggle room" where I can still discretely enjoy my activity?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
My email was the only address listed, but it may have been separately sent to others to retain confidentially. Full text reproduced below:
"Dear Resident-
I was notified of cigarette and pot smoke in the building and am sending this to a few apartments around where the smoke is. This is not a non-smoking building; you are allowed to smoke cigarettes in your apartment but we ask you to be neighborly by smoking outside, out an open window and/or using an air purifier. Smoking pot is illegal and will not be tolerated."
Would like to note the following:
-I consider myself a respectful smoker, as I do as little as I can to stink up the apartment/hallway; towel under the main door, windows open, apply air freshener afterwards (which I'm aware doesn't necessarily COVER the scent but still helps). I'm always very paranoid and aware when I have friends over who partake that they follow my rules and be respectful regarding noise etc.
-I typically blow the smoke out the window so it won't affect my apartment as much, but now I realize this may be irritating nearby neighbors who have open windows as well. I even used to do the whole "dryer sheets inside paper towel roll" thing, but don't know how much that would help since there is still an aroma.
-As the email states, cigarette smoking is legal in the building but somewhat discouraged. Sometimes in my hallway I can smell either cigarette/cigar smoke; I've observed my neighbor smoking cigars on his balcony so I typically attribute this to him or others. When I've returned to my apartment after marijuana usage, I would describe the smell outside my door as faint at best, and much more noticeable when you enter. I have heard my neighbors across the hall (loudly) discuss weed smoking at points, but rarely notice an external smell in the hallway from either of us.
-This is the first complaint I have received living in this building for over 3 years now, and my usage has been fairly consistent over that period. If it matters, the property manager is relatively new to the building, but I doubt the previous one would not have passed along similar complaints.
-Unsure if the complaint came from someone on my floor OR an apartment above/below me since the smoke is often blown outside. I include this because it addresses the problem of why this is an issue and who it's ultimately affecting. While I may not respect the illegality of pot, I do respect the rights of my neighbors to not be bothered by those who choose to toke up.
-Not that I think it would help much anyway, but not interested in investing in vaporizers/other expensive technology in the future.
My direct questions:
1) Is it worth responding to this email in any capacity? If do, what would you recommend I say?
2) How should I proceed going forward? Is it time for me to strictly change my habits and have a zero tolerance policy in my apartment? Or is there any "wiggle room" where I can still discretely enjoy my activity?
Thanks in advance for your replies!
To my reading, that email basically says "if we knew who was smoking pot, they'd be getting evicted." I can't think of any response you can make that would help, and a lot that could hurt you. I would completely stop smoking at home, but I'm pretty paranoid.
(Are there any new neighbours nearby who could have begun complaining?)
posted by jacalata at 4:37 PM on October 14, 2013 [19 favorites]
(Are there any new neighbours nearby who could have begun complaining?)
posted by jacalata at 4:37 PM on October 14, 2013 [19 favorites]
As someone who used to live upstairs from a smoker, honestly I'm pretty shocked that the manager thinks smoking "out an open window" is neighborly. The more smoke that goes out the window, the more that comes into the neighbors' windows. That was one of the main reasons I moved out of that place. I'd think that if you're allowed to smoke, keeping it all within your apartment is better than letting it go out.
posted by primethyme at 4:40 PM on October 14, 2013 [23 favorites]
posted by primethyme at 4:40 PM on October 14, 2013 [23 favorites]
As a recently-reformed cigarette smoker with a sensitive nose, let me tell you that smoking out your window is smoking in someone else's window. It's the worst.
Manage your stink inside so it doesn't get out. Blow it in a toilet paper core full of Bounce like we did in college. Switch to a vaporizer or eat it. (Don't use the vent hood in your kitchen in case it is not properly vented). Close your dang window, though.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:43 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
Manage your stink inside so it doesn't get out. Blow it in a toilet paper core full of Bounce like we did in college. Switch to a vaporizer or eat it. (Don't use the vent hood in your kitchen in case it is not properly vented). Close your dang window, though.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:43 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
Y'all, the poster said they don't want a vaporizer.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 4:47 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 4:47 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would assume what jacalata did: this is a heads up that the new property manager is not into pot smoking for whatever reason and that they will enforce rules about it. Since you are pretty sure you have pot smoking neighbors also, I'd presume this was sent to more people than you and I'd also start being a lot more circumspect about your smoking. In fact, if it were me I think I'd switch to eating it or using a smoke catcher thing or something a lot more robust than just "Using a toilet paper tube when I remember" This is especially important if you have friends who smoke at your place and then leave the place possibly smelling like weed smoke. It may be more of an issue in that sort of situation (i.e. "someone smells like weed in the elevators" which could affect anyone using the shared elevators, not just immediate nieghbors) than the smoke out the window thing, though I agree with everyone else, I'd stop that effective right now.
If it were me I'd reply with a "Thanks for the heads up" email unless for some reason you want to create plausible deniability that you even received this email (and I don't think that would work out particularly well). Going forward I'd either get a lot more serious about not having weed smoke be detectable outside of your apartment--and at the same time, keep in mind that you might be evicted anyhow--or move to a different way of getting your buzz on.
posted by jessamyn at 4:51 PM on October 14, 2013
If it were me I'd reply with a "Thanks for the heads up" email unless for some reason you want to create plausible deniability that you even received this email (and I don't think that would work out particularly well). Going forward I'd either get a lot more serious about not having weed smoke be detectable outside of your apartment--and at the same time, keep in mind that you might be evicted anyhow--or move to a different way of getting your buzz on.
posted by jessamyn at 4:51 PM on October 14, 2013
There's no upside to responding. Since you've already been warned, I'd smoke elsewhere.
posted by Bushmiller at 4:58 PM on October 14, 2013 [16 favorites]
posted by Bushmiller at 4:58 PM on October 14, 2013 [16 favorites]
Gotta agree with jacalata: this is basically "as soon as we figure out who's smoking the pot, we'll evict them". Don't write a reply to this email, there's really nothing you CAN say.
The problem is that no matter how you or anyone here views marijuana use, you ARE conducting an illegal activity on their property, and they need to protect that property from things like the drug-confiscation laws. However, that said: it's probably a good bet that you have no intention of quitting. Okay, that's your business; the problem is not involving other people.
Manage your smoke better. Don't blow it out the window --- just as with cigarette smoke, that only means it will end up going into someone else's window. Vaporize it, bake brownies, use a lot more air fresheners, do *something*, but don't share that smoke with your neighbors.
posted by easily confused at 5:01 PM on October 14, 2013
The problem is that no matter how you or anyone here views marijuana use, you ARE conducting an illegal activity on their property, and they need to protect that property from things like the drug-confiscation laws. However, that said: it's probably a good bet that you have no intention of quitting. Okay, that's your business; the problem is not involving other people.
Manage your smoke better. Don't blow it out the window --- just as with cigarette smoke, that only means it will end up going into someone else's window. Vaporize it, bake brownies, use a lot more air fresheners, do *something*, but don't share that smoke with your neighbors.
posted by easily confused at 5:01 PM on October 14, 2013
As someone who does not smoke and have a very sensitive nose--well, I probably wouldn't live in your building. But I have walked past apartment buildings and been able to easily identify the smell, even if it is faint. More importantly, even if it's faint, the smell bothers me. A lot. This might be true even for cigarette smokers, or people who are okay with cigarette smoke.
I'm not against pot. But if it's not allowed, find some other way to use it. There are SO many ways to do pot without smoking.
I would not respond. This was your one warning.
posted by ethidda at 5:06 PM on October 14, 2013
I'm not against pot. But if it's not allowed, find some other way to use it. There are SO many ways to do pot without smoking.
I would not respond. This was your one warning.
posted by ethidda at 5:06 PM on October 14, 2013
I would respond, but very briefly. Deny smoking either tobacco or pot (tobacco since you don't, pot since it's illegal). Here's what I would say, or something like it:
"Dear Property Manager, I have received your message. I do not smoke either tobacco or pot, so there will be no problem with me complying with your instructions. I understand what you have said, and will make sure to abide by your wishes in this regard while I am living in this building. Yours, renter."
There's really nothing you can do here. Since pot smoking is illegal in Chicago (it looks like there's a medical marijuana bill that was recently passed in Illinois but it hasn't gone into effect yet) you don't really have any recourse. No matter how polite you are, if your landlord is on the alert for pot smoking then you need to either not consume pot or make sure that there is no evidence whatsoever i.e. no smell, regardless of how faint.
If you do want to keep using pot (and I understand, for sure) then you need to find a way to do so without leaving any evidence in or around your apartment. Keep your stash, including all of your paraphernalia, well hidden. Switch from smoking to eating your pot, or perhaps try making a sublingual tincture. (There are lots of instructions for tinctures online, but I've not tried any of them so I can't speak to how good they are.) Always clean up after yourself immediately after using your pot -- don't procrastinate, because this will eventually lead to carelessly leaving your gear out for days at a time. If you are making cannabutter or the like, make sure the vent over your stove is on and that you've closed all the windows and toweled the doors -- then air out your apartment with a fan pointed out whichever window is the most discreet, and burn some incense afterward.
Others have suggested vaporizing, but in my experience this still creates a smell similar to smoking albeit a bit fainter. It also usually involves equipment that is large enough to be difficult to hide. I wouldn't go that route.
Your property manager has basically put you on notice. He suspects you might be smoking pot, or perhaps he knows for sure that you are but wants to give you a chance to "clean up your act" before going to the trouble of evicting you. He would be totally within his rights to evict you, and there would be pretty much nothing you could do about it -- illegal activity is grounds for eviction in pretty much every jurisdiction as far as I know. In the worst case he could end up reporting you to law enforcement, which could end up quite badly for you.
I say all this as someone who is also a semi-regular pot user and thinks that there's absolutely nothing immoral about pot use specifically or recreational drug use in general, but who like you lives in a jurisdiction where marijuana is still decidedly illegal. When that medical marijuana bill goes into effect (assuming that Chicago doesn't take it upon itself to pass a counterlaw keeping it illegal within city limits) then you can get a prescription, research what the bill has to say about landlords' discretion regarding pot use on their properties, and if it looks safe then you could contact your landlord and ask something along the lines of "I recently received a prescription for medical marijuana. I have not begun using marijuana, and before I do so wanted to consult you about your policies regarding medical marijuana consumption on the property. The recent bill gives renters rights x y and z, and leaves issues a b and c up to the discretion of landlords. Could you please clarify for me your policy on medical marijuana consumption on the property, so that I can make sure to abide by it?"
Until then, you need to make sure that it's impossible to tell you're using pot without doing a detailed search of your apartment.
posted by Grey_Area at 5:07 PM on October 14, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Dear Property Manager, I have received your message. I do not smoke either tobacco or pot, so there will be no problem with me complying with your instructions. I understand what you have said, and will make sure to abide by your wishes in this regard while I am living in this building. Yours, renter."
There's really nothing you can do here. Since pot smoking is illegal in Chicago (it looks like there's a medical marijuana bill that was recently passed in Illinois but it hasn't gone into effect yet) you don't really have any recourse. No matter how polite you are, if your landlord is on the alert for pot smoking then you need to either not consume pot or make sure that there is no evidence whatsoever i.e. no smell, regardless of how faint.
If you do want to keep using pot (and I understand, for sure) then you need to find a way to do so without leaving any evidence in or around your apartment. Keep your stash, including all of your paraphernalia, well hidden. Switch from smoking to eating your pot, or perhaps try making a sublingual tincture. (There are lots of instructions for tinctures online, but I've not tried any of them so I can't speak to how good they are.) Always clean up after yourself immediately after using your pot -- don't procrastinate, because this will eventually lead to carelessly leaving your gear out for days at a time. If you are making cannabutter or the like, make sure the vent over your stove is on and that you've closed all the windows and toweled the doors -- then air out your apartment with a fan pointed out whichever window is the most discreet, and burn some incense afterward.
Others have suggested vaporizing, but in my experience this still creates a smell similar to smoking albeit a bit fainter. It also usually involves equipment that is large enough to be difficult to hide. I wouldn't go that route.
Your property manager has basically put you on notice. He suspects you might be smoking pot, or perhaps he knows for sure that you are but wants to give you a chance to "clean up your act" before going to the trouble of evicting you. He would be totally within his rights to evict you, and there would be pretty much nothing you could do about it -- illegal activity is grounds for eviction in pretty much every jurisdiction as far as I know. In the worst case he could end up reporting you to law enforcement, which could end up quite badly for you.
I say all this as someone who is also a semi-regular pot user and thinks that there's absolutely nothing immoral about pot use specifically or recreational drug use in general, but who like you lives in a jurisdiction where marijuana is still decidedly illegal. When that medical marijuana bill goes into effect (assuming that Chicago doesn't take it upon itself to pass a counterlaw keeping it illegal within city limits) then you can get a prescription, research what the bill has to say about landlords' discretion regarding pot use on their properties, and if it looks safe then you could contact your landlord and ask something along the lines of "I recently received a prescription for medical marijuana. I have not begun using marijuana, and before I do so wanted to consult you about your policies regarding medical marijuana consumption on the property. The recent bill gives renters rights x y and z, and leaves issues a b and c up to the discretion of landlords. Could you please clarify for me your policy on medical marijuana consumption on the property, so that I can make sure to abide by it?"
Until then, you need to make sure that it's impossible to tell you're using pot without doing a detailed search of your apartment.
posted by Grey_Area at 5:07 PM on October 14, 2013 [3 favorites]
For what it's worth, I'm a nonsmoker who lived in a mid-rise Chicago apartment below frequent potsmokers, and the smell was often so strong it literally woke me up at night. The odor would manifest in my dreams as something else, usually food, often ham, and then I would wake up. To the smell of my upstairs neighbors' pot. Similarly, I can smell marijuana all the way down the block when someone is smoking out a window or on the street.
I never spoke to them (or the landlord) about it--honestly, it didn't bug me--but consider that other people, especially people who don't smoke, may be far more sensitive than you are, especially if you're checking out relative odor levels right after smoking. I suspect that your "faint at best" may be someone else's "we can smell it from anywhere in the hallway."
I would do a little legwork: try different smoking locations and smoke attenuation strategies (by a window, into the paper towel tube, near a running HEPA filter with a fresh activated carbon insert, etc.) and have a friend who didn't just smoke check out the relative odor levels.
posted by pullayup at 5:10 PM on October 14, 2013 [5 favorites]
I never spoke to them (or the landlord) about it--honestly, it didn't bug me--but consider that other people, especially people who don't smoke, may be far more sensitive than you are, especially if you're checking out relative odor levels right after smoking. I suspect that your "faint at best" may be someone else's "we can smell it from anywhere in the hallway."
I would do a little legwork: try different smoking locations and smoke attenuation strategies (by a window, into the paper towel tube, near a running HEPA filter with a fresh activated carbon insert, etc.) and have a friend who didn't just smoke check out the relative odor levels.
posted by pullayup at 5:10 PM on October 14, 2013 [5 favorites]
-Not that I think it would help much anyway, but not interested in investing in vaporizers/other expensive technology in the future.
It would definitely help, and they're not THAT expensive- certainly less expensive than getting evicted, anyway!
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:13 PM on October 14, 2013 [11 favorites]
It would definitely help, and they're not THAT expensive- certainly less expensive than getting evicted, anyway!
posted by showbiz_liz at 5:13 PM on October 14, 2013 [11 favorites]
1. http://www.smokebuddy.com/
2. If you are aware of other smokers, and pot-smokers in your building, it would help to befriend them and better understand their set-ups, and their stealth or lack thereof. You may realize that there is someone near you who is simply not taking the precautions you are, and they are ruining it for everyone. It may be possible to help them and make everyone happy.
3. I have received emails similar to this, when living near people who were being very rude with their pot and tobacco use. I did not respond. It never negatively impacted me. The smell never stopped either, for what it's worth. Nothing happened.
posted by ejfox at 5:20 PM on October 14, 2013
2. If you are aware of other smokers, and pot-smokers in your building, it would help to befriend them and better understand their set-ups, and their stealth or lack thereof. You may realize that there is someone near you who is simply not taking the precautions you are, and they are ruining it for everyone. It may be possible to help them and make everyone happy.
3. I have received emails similar to this, when living near people who were being very rude with their pot and tobacco use. I did not respond. It never negatively impacted me. The smell never stopped either, for what it's worth. Nothing happened.
posted by ejfox at 5:20 PM on October 14, 2013
It would definitely help, and they're not THAT expensive- certainly less expensive than getting evicted, anyway!
Vaporizers are also far more efficient, so they're much cheaper than smoking when amortized over a year or two.
(Sorry to bring this up even though you mentioned that you're not interested in vaporizers - I'm just saying this in case cost is the primary barrier)
posted by ripley_ at 5:21 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
Vaporizers are also far more efficient, so they're much cheaper than smoking when amortized over a year or two.
(Sorry to bring this up even though you mentioned that you're not interested in vaporizers - I'm just saying this in case cost is the primary barrier)
posted by ripley_ at 5:21 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
When I've returned to my apartment after marijuana usage, I would describe the smell outside my door as faint at best
A non-smoker might be much more sensitive to this; you may not be able to detect an odour, but a non-smoker would. It doesn't even have to be the apartment; smokers can have a distinct aroma or body odour about them as well.
posted by carter at 5:37 PM on October 14, 2013 [7 favorites]
A non-smoker might be much more sensitive to this; you may not be able to detect an odour, but a non-smoker would. It doesn't even have to be the apartment; smokers can have a distinct aroma or body odour about them as well.
posted by carter at 5:37 PM on October 14, 2013 [7 favorites]
I also think that smoke sometimes enters my apartment precisely because people are opening their windows when they smoke, it is not a neighborly solution.
Also, if you smoke outside please don't do it below peoples windows or especially talk loudly and especially when you are smoking with others. All my windows face the front of the building and sometimes multiple people gather to smoke outside and seem to have no inkling that I can often hear their conversations, including late at night.
I myself am not bothered by the odor of smoke at all, but the knowledge that if I can smell cigarette smoke at all that means I am breathing the fumes to some extent and damaging my body. I work hard to be healthy and don't need the good that does subverted by breathing others cigarette smoke. Because of this I would hate it even more if someone tried to cover up the odor by using air freshener.
Perhaps an air purifier and some natural (made of essential oils) room spray? I've also read that fresh coffee aroma is very good at covering other odors (and I feel like that's very true).
posted by Blitz at 5:53 PM on October 14, 2013
Also, if you smoke outside please don't do it below peoples windows or especially talk loudly and especially when you are smoking with others. All my windows face the front of the building and sometimes multiple people gather to smoke outside and seem to have no inkling that I can often hear their conversations, including late at night.
I myself am not bothered by the odor of smoke at all, but the knowledge that if I can smell cigarette smoke at all that means I am breathing the fumes to some extent and damaging my body. I work hard to be healthy and don't need the good that does subverted by breathing others cigarette smoke. Because of this I would hate it even more if someone tried to cover up the odor by using air freshener.
Perhaps an air purifier and some natural (made of essential oils) room spray? I've also read that fresh coffee aroma is very good at covering other odors (and I feel like that's very true).
posted by Blitz at 5:53 PM on October 14, 2013
Not that I think it would help much anyway
What? No, no. Take it from somebody who had a cancer patient houseguest recently. A vaporiser would make a world of difference here. These things in action are "please, feel free to blaze through all you want, indoors in my smoke-free home" devices.
A quick Google image search will make clear that "It also usually involves equipment that is large enough to be difficult to hide" (?!) is absolutely not the case.
posted by kmennie at 5:56 PM on October 14, 2013 [8 favorites]
What? No, no. Take it from somebody who had a cancer patient houseguest recently. A vaporiser would make a world of difference here. These things in action are "please, feel free to blaze through all you want, indoors in my smoke-free home" devices.
A quick Google image search will make clear that "It also usually involves equipment that is large enough to be difficult to hide" (?!) is absolutely not the case.
posted by kmennie at 5:56 PM on October 14, 2013 [8 favorites]
Former bong-ripper here, and current medical marijuana advocate.
As a good neighbor, it's your responsibility to keep the pot smell from encroaching on your neighbors. I resent my neighbor's pot smell coming into my apartment. (He blows it out his kitchen window; it gets blown into my window.) I don't like the smell, and find it disruptive. It friggin' lingers in my place for a long time after my neighbor is done smoking out. (And yes, it wakes me up, as others have also noted.)
If you're unwilling/unable to invest in a vaporizer, or purchase and/or bake your weed in edible format, you're being kind of selfish. Again, this is not about pot being bad and wrong, it's about a strong scent that you are producing and refusing to reasonably contain (by refusing the reasonable solution of vaping).
Do not respond to the email. Modify your behavior, move to a pot-friendly building, or be willing to suffer the natural consequences.
posted by nacho fries at 6:03 PM on October 14, 2013 [7 favorites]
As a good neighbor, it's your responsibility to keep the pot smell from encroaching on your neighbors. I resent my neighbor's pot smell coming into my apartment. (He blows it out his kitchen window; it gets blown into my window.) I don't like the smell, and find it disruptive. It friggin' lingers in my place for a long time after my neighbor is done smoking out. (And yes, it wakes me up, as others have also noted.)
If you're unwilling/unable to invest in a vaporizer, or purchase and/or bake your weed in edible format, you're being kind of selfish. Again, this is not about pot being bad and wrong, it's about a strong scent that you are producing and refusing to reasonably contain (by refusing the reasonable solution of vaping).
Do not respond to the email. Modify your behavior, move to a pot-friendly building, or be willing to suffer the natural consequences.
posted by nacho fries at 6:03 PM on October 14, 2013 [7 favorites]
It also usually involves equipment that is large enough to be difficult to hide. I wouldn't go that route.
A bunch of people I know have vaporizers that are the size of a box of kitchen matches. The technology has come a long way recently.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:15 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
A bunch of people I know have vaporizers that are the size of a box of kitchen matches. The technology has come a long way recently.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:15 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
FWIW, Chicago "decriminalized" possession of less than .5 ounce of pot last year, i.e., you get a ticket, rather than arrested. It's still illegal to smoke in public, however.
posted by she's not there at 6:17 PM on October 14, 2013
posted by she's not there at 6:17 PM on October 14, 2013
I didn't actually answer the question: I would think, as someone who can't be bothered to smoke but otherwise does not care, if I got that email I'd be all, "okay, then" and go on with my life. I would not reply.
I would assume that any reply other than "it's my downstairs neighbor please throw her ass out" or "random crazypants rant from the same person who always replies to emails with a random crazypants rant" would basically be outing yourself.
If the property management wanted some kind of acknowledgement on file, they would either issue an addendum to your lease or send a certified letter.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:46 PM on October 14, 2013 [5 favorites]
I would assume that any reply other than "it's my downstairs neighbor please throw her ass out" or "random crazypants rant from the same person who always replies to emails with a random crazypants rant" would basically be outing yourself.
If the property management wanted some kind of acknowledgement on file, they would either issue an addendum to your lease or send a certified letter.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:46 PM on October 14, 2013 [5 favorites]
Is it time for me to strictly change my habits and have a zero tolerance policy in my apartment?
I would say yes.
I don't know what pot smokers think, but from my university days nearly everyone tried pot a few times and we all know the distinct smell. So for the next 50 years, a hundred million people in the USA alone are aware of who is smoking pot. We don't just magically forget because it has been 30 years. Ongoing smokers are fooling only a small fraction of the general population. Nearly everyone knows what you are doing unless you are taking serious precautionary measures. And blowing it out your window is the opposite of a precautionary measure.
If you wish to continue, then I think you have to consider the financial dilemma of risking a costly random eviction (*) versus the price of exploring smoke-reduction technology. And I would not respond to the email. Good luck!
(*) - liquid savings to cover the first month, last month, and deposit on a new place
posted by 99percentfake at 6:47 PM on October 14, 2013 [4 favorites]
I would say yes.
I don't know what pot smokers think, but from my university days nearly everyone tried pot a few times and we all know the distinct smell. So for the next 50 years, a hundred million people in the USA alone are aware of who is smoking pot. We don't just magically forget because it has been 30 years. Ongoing smokers are fooling only a small fraction of the general population. Nearly everyone knows what you are doing unless you are taking serious precautionary measures. And blowing it out your window is the opposite of a precautionary measure.
If you wish to continue, then I think you have to consider the financial dilemma of risking a costly random eviction (*) versus the price of exploring smoke-reduction technology. And I would not respond to the email. Good luck!
(*) - liquid savings to cover the first month, last month, and deposit on a new place
posted by 99percentfake at 6:47 PM on October 14, 2013 [4 favorites]
Put, in your pipe, the amount that you can fully combust in one inhalation.
Blow exhaust into garbage bag. Clamp with chip clip in between inhalations.
Stealthily release exhaust from garbage bag at a convenient time, such as late at night when neighbors are asleep.
posted by HMSSM at 6:59 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
Blow exhaust into garbage bag. Clamp with chip clip in between inhalations.
Stealthily release exhaust from garbage bag at a convenient time, such as late at night when neighbors are asleep.
posted by HMSSM at 6:59 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
To my reading, that email basically says "if we knew who was smoking pot, they'd be getting evicted."
I disagree with this. I made a complaint to a property against some neighbors a few years ago (different issue) and the response was that a generic letter like this went to all of us. It's the equivalent of a warning, but it applies to everyone.
And I see absolutely no upside to replying. It would do nothing other than raise your profile slightly, and even an outright denial won't put you in a better position. Most people aren't going to reply to this, no matter what they think about it.
I think what this means is that someone complained. The complaint occasioned the letter. That could get more serious for you if you continue to irritate them. And despite your current efforts, people can smell it, so you need to either reduce the frequency or intensity of the smoking in your apartment, or find another way to mitigate the smoke as suggested above. The only "wiggle room" is changing what you do - what you're doing right now isn't working.
posted by Miko at 6:59 PM on October 14, 2013
I disagree with this. I made a complaint to a property against some neighbors a few years ago (different issue) and the response was that a generic letter like this went to all of us. It's the equivalent of a warning, but it applies to everyone.
And I see absolutely no upside to replying. It would do nothing other than raise your profile slightly, and even an outright denial won't put you in a better position. Most people aren't going to reply to this, no matter what they think about it.
I think what this means is that someone complained. The complaint occasioned the letter. That could get more serious for you if you continue to irritate them. And despite your current efforts, people can smell it, so you need to either reduce the frequency or intensity of the smoking in your apartment, or find another way to mitigate the smoke as suggested above. The only "wiggle room" is changing what you do - what you're doing right now isn't working.
posted by Miko at 6:59 PM on October 14, 2013
Bear in mind that containing the smoke in your apartment is probably not a viable solution, because multi-unit housing usually has shared ventilation. Even if you keep the smoke in your place, it may be going through your intake vents and being pushed back out into other people's indoor air. I highly recommend keeping your home 100% smoke-free (all types of smoke) for that reason. Not that there aren't others -- reduced risk of fires (consider what your renter's insurance would think about covering damage from a marijuana related fire), your apartment stays cleaner so there's lower likelihood of losing your deposit, your own hair and clothes will smell cleaner, etc. Not to mention the implicit threat of eviction that others have already mentioned.
posted by Smells of Detroit at 7:04 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Smells of Detroit at 7:04 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
I live with a pot smoker and am sensitive to the smell. He can smoke indoors using a Magic Flight and my sensitive nose detects almost nothing (if that weren't the case, I'd boot him to the patio in a heartbeat). I realize you asked for no vaporizers, but this is an easy problem to solve.
In the meantime, I would respond to your building manager with something nice but noncommittal, like, "Thanks for sending this around; it's important we all do our part to be good neighbors."
posted by samthemander at 7:16 PM on October 14, 2013
In the meantime, I would respond to your building manager with something nice but noncommittal, like, "Thanks for sending this around; it's important we all do our part to be good neighbors."
posted by samthemander at 7:16 PM on October 14, 2013
I don't think you need to respond but you need to change your habits. One, because you risk getting evicted. Two, because if the stank can be smelled outside your apartment that means it's bothering someone else and that's inconsiderate.
posted by radioamy at 8:08 PM on October 14, 2013
posted by radioamy at 8:08 PM on October 14, 2013
First, I think the letter went to a wider audience than just a few. Everybody who even thinks about smoking something now feels guilty. I do not think this should be interpreted as they will call the cops or evict you. I think it is more of an appeasement to someone who complained.
I would respond with, "Thanks for the email. I am aware of the buildings rules and regulations." Say something vague that sounds like you are agreeing but you are really saying very little.
If it were me, I would use a one hitter and hold your hit as long as you can tolerate. Then spray some ozium and keep your windows open for a breeze. In the winter, blow it out your window as no one else will have their windows open in the Chicago winter. When I lived there, the saddest sight I saw was always the cigarette smokers huddled by the office building door coatless in the winter sucking down a cig in three deep hits.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:17 PM on October 14, 2013
I would respond with, "Thanks for the email. I am aware of the buildings rules and regulations." Say something vague that sounds like you are agreeing but you are really saying very little.
If it were me, I would use a one hitter and hold your hit as long as you can tolerate. Then spray some ozium and keep your windows open for a breeze. In the winter, blow it out your window as no one else will have their windows open in the Chicago winter. When I lived there, the saddest sight I saw was always the cigarette smokers huddled by the office building door coatless in the winter sucking down a cig in three deep hits.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:17 PM on October 14, 2013
I know housing court and I super seriously doubt anyone could be cost-effectively or successfully evicted over this.
That said...
Just get a vaporizer so that you can enjoy your pot in peace. Geez.
posted by jbenben at 8:24 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
That said...
Just get a vaporizer so that you can enjoy your pot in peace. Geez.
posted by jbenben at 8:24 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
First, I agree with other posters that this letter likely went to all tenants.
Second, the chances of eviction are extremely low. In order to have grounds for eviction, the landlord would need proof of your illegal activity - meaning they would need to call the cops, have them come and issue you a citation, and then go through all the legal hassle of eviction. Given that average legal fees to evict someone are about $1000, it is a big cost and a lot of trouble for the landlord. Especially given that multiple tenants are smoking pot.
So, don't respond to the email. Employ an air purifier or some sort of dryer sheet contraption to reduce the smell, and then don't worry about it.
posted by mai at 8:29 PM on October 14, 2013
Second, the chances of eviction are extremely low. In order to have grounds for eviction, the landlord would need proof of your illegal activity - meaning they would need to call the cops, have them come and issue you a citation, and then go through all the legal hassle of eviction. Given that average legal fees to evict someone are about $1000, it is a big cost and a lot of trouble for the landlord. Especially given that multiple tenants are smoking pot.
So, don't respond to the email. Employ an air purifier or some sort of dryer sheet contraption to reduce the smell, and then don't worry about it.
posted by mai at 8:29 PM on October 14, 2013
If you were not a smoker, would you respond, and if so, how?
No, I think -- you would not. So by responding, you're really saying "hey look at me I like to smoke."
posted by J. Wilson at 8:53 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
No, I think -- you would not. So by responding, you're really saying "hey look at me I like to smoke."
posted by J. Wilson at 8:53 PM on October 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm not a smoker, but in general it doesn't really bother me to be around pot or cigarette smoke. However the ground floor apartment of my building is like this rotating home for groups of dudes who smoke the most FOUL smelling crap I have ever smelled in my life. At first it just smelled like BO, but more recently it's like some combination of skunk smell and vomit. It's really, really gross and inconsiderate and made worse by the fact that you HAVE to walk past their apartment to go up the only staircase in our building. I seriously couldn't care less that anyone in the building smokes pot but UGH the stench just makes me hate these dudes I've never even spoken to.
So with that said, my guess on the letter is that there've been some smoke and/or smell complaints, and they sent it out to everyone in hopes that the issue would go away without them having to do much else. I'm not sure the fact that you don't really smell it means much, since you'd be more acclimated to the scent than any of your nonsmoking neighbors. In your shoes I'd focus on minimizing any smell most of all, and treat the pot comment as basically, "if we can't smell pot then we don't have to feel obligated to investigate it further, so let's all save each other the hassle, k?" I can't imagine my current or any of my previous landlords treating it much more seriously than that.
posted by augustimagination at 11:26 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
So with that said, my guess on the letter is that there've been some smoke and/or smell complaints, and they sent it out to everyone in hopes that the issue would go away without them having to do much else. I'm not sure the fact that you don't really smell it means much, since you'd be more acclimated to the scent than any of your nonsmoking neighbors. In your shoes I'd focus on minimizing any smell most of all, and treat the pot comment as basically, "if we can't smell pot then we don't have to feel obligated to investigate it further, so let's all save each other the hassle, k?" I can't imagine my current or any of my previous landlords treating it much more seriously than that.
posted by augustimagination at 11:26 PM on October 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you respond at all, I would recommend nothing more than "Thank you for addressing this issue on behalf of the residents in this building."
That says "I care about my neighbors and the environment in which they live." It does not say anything that isn't true (e.g. that you are not potentially part of the problem). But it also doesn't acknowledge that you are doing anything.
I'd be concerned that NOT responding might be akin to thumbing your nose at the landlord, especially if you are suspected to be a contributor to the odor. And given that you have heard your immediate neighbors complaining about the smell, I would think its safe to assume that they know you are smoking and have likely escalated the issue. "Loudly talking about the smell" just as you happen to walk by is not an accident.
Your options here seem to be 1) cut it out completely OR 2) change your form of intake; AND 3) in either case, contribute to the legalization effort in your area. Or, failing all of the above, 4) move somewhere more odor-friendly.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:41 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
That says "I care about my neighbors and the environment in which they live." It does not say anything that isn't true (e.g. that you are not potentially part of the problem). But it also doesn't acknowledge that you are doing anything.
I'd be concerned that NOT responding might be akin to thumbing your nose at the landlord, especially if you are suspected to be a contributor to the odor. And given that you have heard your immediate neighbors complaining about the smell, I would think its safe to assume that they know you are smoking and have likely escalated the issue. "Loudly talking about the smell" just as you happen to walk by is not an accident.
Your options here seem to be 1) cut it out completely OR 2) change your form of intake; AND 3) in either case, contribute to the legalization effort in your area. Or, failing all of the above, 4) move somewhere more odor-friendly.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:41 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
And given that you have heard your immediate neighbors complaining about the smell, I would think its safe to assume that they know you are smoking and have likely escalated the issue. "Loudly talking about the smell" just as you happen to walk by is not an accident.
He said "I have heard my neighbors across the hall (loudly) discuss weed smoking at points". That means they were saying "woah dude I got so high yesterday," not "UM have you NOTICED a SMELL of WEED around here." I assume the OP would be far more concerned in the latter case.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:21 AM on October 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
He said "I have heard my neighbors across the hall (loudly) discuss weed smoking at points". That means they were saying "woah dude I got so high yesterday," not "UM have you NOTICED a SMELL of WEED around here." I assume the OP would be far more concerned in the latter case.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:21 AM on October 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
I wouldn't respond. There's nothing to add to the conversation.
Were it me, I'd just quit smoking. It's not worth the hassle just to get high. But I'm pragmatic like that.
Either it's your neighbors who are creating the stink, or it's just you, or it's everyone. As of now though, you're on notice. People can smell the pot. Now, I'm not sure HOW anyone could evict you for smoking, that's a lot to prove. Unless they call the cops, then you're screwed.
So, learn to love pot brownies, and sleep better at night.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:30 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Were it me, I'd just quit smoking. It's not worth the hassle just to get high. But I'm pragmatic like that.
Either it's your neighbors who are creating the stink, or it's just you, or it's everyone. As of now though, you're on notice. People can smell the pot. Now, I'm not sure HOW anyone could evict you for smoking, that's a lot to prove. Unless they call the cops, then you're screwed.
So, learn to love pot brownies, and sleep better at night.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:30 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Glade candles are amazing at covering up smell. If I were to smoke pot, I would probably light one up 30-40 minutes before we started and keep it close to the doorway. I would also invest in a magic flight box (I've heard they are great at diminishing the smell), and also make a poofer to blow the smoke into. Or use a pipe with bare minimum of pot in it and use poofer for smoke. Then, I'd probably use febreeze on the furniture, on the door and my rugs.
That's what I would do if I smoked pot.
posted by Sweetmag at 7:04 AM on October 15, 2013
That's what I would do if I smoked pot.
posted by Sweetmag at 7:04 AM on October 15, 2013
Apartment complexes are notorious for notes. Someone complains about something but no one knows who it actually is so a note goes out to everyone. These notes don't actually do anything except appease the person who complained and that is why they are done. The manager knows that that person who complained will complain again so they make it look like they are solving the problem.
You don't respond to notes like these.
If your landlord sends you, specifically, a note accusing you, specifically, of something you can respond to that one.
posted by magnetsphere at 7:40 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
You don't respond to notes like these.
If your landlord sends you, specifically, a note accusing you, specifically, of something you can respond to that one.
posted by magnetsphere at 7:40 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Folks, please answer the question being asked and don't just make this a thread for complaining about bad things your past neighbors have done.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:41 AM on October 15, 2013
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:41 AM on October 15, 2013
Absolutely no upside to responding. Don't.
And there is absolutely a potential downside for not changing the way you imbibe. So change the way you imbibe.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:52 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
And there is absolutely a potential downside for not changing the way you imbibe. So change the way you imbibe.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:52 AM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Spend a couple hundred bucks on a top-shelf vaporizer. Problem solved.
posted by thylacine at 12:42 PM on October 15, 2013
posted by thylacine at 12:42 PM on October 15, 2013
Don't respond. Also, don't worry about this. You couldn't be evicted for smoking pot even if they could prove it.
posted by xammerboy at 1:05 PM on October 15, 2013
posted by xammerboy at 1:05 PM on October 15, 2013
Responding to this email seems un-necessary, but know this:
When the letter said that pot "will not be tolerated", they could not have been clearer-- they're not saying "Come on fellas, let's keep it on the down-low... come up with some sort of ingenious duck-tape and bailing-wire MacGuyver contraption..."
The letter should be read as saying
posted by blueberry at 4:44 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
- You are choosing to do something that, rightly or wrongly, is currently illegal.
- You are disturbing other paying renters in their homes--people who don't want their clothes, their belongings, their children, themselves... smelling like, or smelling pot smoke (it f'ing reeks)
- If you have ever sold any pot in your apartment (say, one joint to a friend when he was out), your landlord could be in serious legal trouble.
- If you're smoking 2-3 times a week--basically every other day--you and your clothes (and your laundry when you're in the laundry room) probably smell like pot anyway and everyone knows it's you.
When the letter said that pot "will not be tolerated", they could not have been clearer-- they're not saying "Come on fellas, let's keep it on the down-low... come up with some sort of ingenious duck-tape and bailing-wire MacGuyver contraption..."
The letter should be read as saying
"Attention!So, yeah, you can go all Bunsun Honeydew with halved Nalgeen bottles, dryer sheets and Chip-Clipped Hefty bags, but if so, it had better be like NASA-grade hermetically-sealed, not-even-a-bloodhound-could-notice quality, because otherwise, the next letter you're going to get is an eviction notice--probably about twenty minutes after the next time you light up.
[Whoever is smoking pot]
This letter is your last chance.
If we get so much as one more whisper of you smoking pot--we're kicking you out."
posted by blueberry at 4:44 PM on October 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
As a practical matter one thing that is important to understand is how air flows in and out of your apartment. I lived above someone who threw parties that seemed to involve lots of heavy indoor smoking in the winter in a Chicago highrise (though I was just on the third floor) and it was awful. Opening windows helped because it created positive air pressure that kept their stink from entering our apartment. Sealing things up actually made the problem far worse.
Most buildings above a certain size actively control the air flow in their buildings through rooftop fans that pull air in from apartments by means of bathroom vents. This is primarily to keep bathroom/shower dampness from being a problem but it also maintains a positive air pressure in most units that keeps odors from one unit ending up in another unit. The problem is that in high rises the fans are on the rooftop so if you are down on the third floor of a twenty floor building the draw is quite weak. Also if your smoking neighbors open their windows then the smoke that goes out their window will actually be drawn into your apartment by the bathroom vent suction.
Light a smokey candle and walk around your apartment and see where the air flows. Understand where your pot smell is going and make your smoking plan with that in mind. Odds are opening a window doesn't actaully help. Smoking in your bathroom might.
posted by srboisvert at 10:38 AM on October 16, 2013
Most buildings above a certain size actively control the air flow in their buildings through rooftop fans that pull air in from apartments by means of bathroom vents. This is primarily to keep bathroom/shower dampness from being a problem but it also maintains a positive air pressure in most units that keeps odors from one unit ending up in another unit. The problem is that in high rises the fans are on the rooftop so if you are down on the third floor of a twenty floor building the draw is quite weak. Also if your smoking neighbors open their windows then the smoke that goes out their window will actually be drawn into your apartment by the bathroom vent suction.
Light a smokey candle and walk around your apartment and see where the air flows. Understand where your pot smell is going and make your smoking plan with that in mind. Odds are opening a window doesn't actaully help. Smoking in your bathroom might.
posted by srboisvert at 10:38 AM on October 16, 2013
former property manager here...and just wanted to say that the idea that you are being put on notice for eviction is laughable! It takes months and months and $$$$$$ to actually evict a tenant, and I have NEVER seen it done except in cases of prolonged (I saw one tenant make it a year) non-payment of rent.
Like magnetsphere said, this is just a manager doing their job by following up on a complaint. I wrote the same notes all the time. I had zero recourse to actually punish anyone for making too much noise, smoking, etc, unless it was a condo or coop and I could tack on a fine to their monthly maintenance.
You sound like you are taking plenty of steps to make sure the smell doesn't escape your apartment, I honestly wouldn't worry about this.
posted by msjoannabanana at 10:40 AM on October 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
Like magnetsphere said, this is just a manager doing their job by following up on a complaint. I wrote the same notes all the time. I had zero recourse to actually punish anyone for making too much noise, smoking, etc, unless it was a condo or coop and I could tack on a fine to their monthly maintenance.
You sound like you are taking plenty of steps to make sure the smell doesn't escape your apartment, I honestly wouldn't worry about this.
posted by msjoannabanana at 10:40 AM on October 16, 2013 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brujita at 4:36 PM on October 14, 2013 [7 favorites]