Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

DEALING WITH DANK'S STANK

Hi, Ngaio. Can you ask the people who smoke pot regularly to take a 
shower or hang an air freshener around their neck? One of the 
downsides of the changing attitudes about pot is having to smell it 
daily, regardless of whether you want to or not. It may be the smell 
of freedom for some but it's really not making any friends among 
those who are on the fence about weed's acceptance. I also think it 
hurts the credibility of the entire weed scene. Prohibition wasn't 
ended by people who reeked of booze.

- -M.

High yourself! I have been wrestling with this issue for a while. Pot 
is a stinky drug. A wonderful, fantastic, stinky, stinky drug. I 
personally enjoy the smell of weed, but I may be an outlier. Many pot 
smokers don't really notice the smell. I get the side-eye from random 
people all the time, and not just when I walk into the coffee shop 
all fresh roasted from a nice session. Just having some good weed in 
your pocket will stink up a room. It usually takes me a minute to 
realize why people are smirking, and it often leads to a conversation 
about marijuana, so I generally don't mind, unless I am in line at 
the food truck when the cops walk up.

I get what you are saying, although I am not sure I have a solution 
for you. Maybe the smell of marijuana is just one of the petty 
annoyances of big-city living, along with the occasional aroma of 
tobacco smoke, random garbage cans and dog shit. You are right that 
some people could be better at being more aware of their personal 
scent, but I would rather smell like weed than Axe body spray. Maybe 
you could start a business that sells a weed-odor neutralizer.

I have a question for you: Looking at your email, you imply that the 
smell of marijuana is a reason to be "on the fence" about weed 
acceptance. Really? I think we can all agree that marijuana laws 
should be reformed. And to your comment, "Prohibition wasn't ended by 
people who reeked of booze." I disagree. I am fairly sure that the 
people who ended alcohol prohibition, a.k.a. the United States 
legislature, reek way more of booze than they reek of weed. Congress 
would probably do a better job if they smoked more weed and drank 
less booze, but I digress. Anyway, sorry you have to smell weed every 
once in a while.

High, Ngaio, I am debating leaving my career working with autistic 
teens to work in the cannabis industry. Thoughts? Am I jumping on the wagon?

- -A Man Called Quest

First of all, thank you for working with autistic teens. I would say 
it's not too late but don't just jump in. Have a plan. Find a niche. 
And try not to reek of weed when you show up to work.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom