Can You Report Neighbours For Smoking Weed

So, your neighbor’s balcony smells like a skunk that just won a Grammy. You’re pretty sure it’s weed. And now you’re wondering: can you actually report them?

Let’s get real. The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as dialing 911 and yelling “skunk alert!” Laws are weird. They change based on where you live, how much they’re smoking, and if they’re sharing with a pug.

The Legal Rollercoaster

In some places, weed is as legal as a tomato plant. In others, it’s still a ticket to handcuffs. If you’re in a state where recreational use is legal, reporting a neighbor for toking is like reporting someone for drinking craft beer. Annoying? Maybe. Illegal? Nope.

But if you’re in a state where it’s illegal, you can absolutely call the non-emergency line. Just don’t expect a SWAT team to rappel from a helicopter. Cops usually have bigger fish to fry—like parking tickets and runaway llamas.

The "Nuisance" Factor

Here’s the funny part: even in legal states, you can still report them for smell. Yes, smell! If the odor drifts into your home and lingers like a bad cologne, it might break a “public nuisance” law.

Think of it like burning garbage. You can burn leaves, but if your neighbor’s leaf pile smells like a swamp monster, you can call the city. Same logic applies to weed. Quirky fact: In 2021, a woman in Colorado called the cops on her neighbor for “excessive skunk smells.” The cops showed up with a laughing emoji on their report.

What Actually Happens?

Real talk: reporting a neighbor for weed is mostly a waste of time. Police prioritize violence and loud parties. A cloud of pot smoke? They’ll probably ask, “Is anyone hurt? Is anyone in danger?” If you say no, they’ll say, “Call us if they start a bonfire.”

But there’s a catch. If your neighbor is a grower—like, a full-on indoor jungle—that’s different. Growing weed without a license is a crime in many places. Even then, cops might just take a whiff, shrug, and leave you a note: “Weed? Meh.”

The Fun Part: Drama!

Let’s face it—this topic is fun because it’s awkward. Imagine walking up to your neighbor and saying, “Hey, your pot is polluting my laundry.” That’s a sitcom scene waiting to happen. Or worse: they invite you over. Now you’re trapped in a cloud of giggles and regret.

Here’s a hilarious loophole: in some cities, you can report a weed smell to Animal Control. Why? Because skunks smell similar. So you could call and say, “I think there’s a skunk with a superiority complex.” They’ll send a guy with a net. Awkward? Yes. Effective? Absolutely not.

Better Alternatives

Before you become the neighborhood snitch, try talking. Just knock and say, “Hey, could you use a fan? The smell is hitting my bedroom.” Most stoners are chill. They’ll probably apologize and offer you a brownie.

If that fails, buy an air purifier. Or move. Or embrace the smell—some people say it cures anxiety. Fun fact: A 2022 survey found that 30% of people who reported their neighbors for weed were later caught smoking themselves. Karma smells like irony.

When to Actually Call

Only call the cops if the neighbor is abusing kids or driving a car. Smoke alone? Not a 911 emergency. Use the non-emergency line, and be ready for a bored officer to say, “Ma’am, this is a pizza place.”

Also, check your local laws for “smoke trespass.” If their cloud drifts into your window while you’re trying to read, that might be a civil issue. Suing for weed smell? That’s a new level of neighborly pettiness. I love it.

The Bottom Line

Reporting neighbors for smoking weed is possible, but rarely worth it. You’ll look like a curmudgeon, and the outcome is usually a shrug. Instead, focus on the funny side: you’re living next door to a voluntary perfume factory.

Grab some popcorn. Watch the drama. And remember: in 2023, a man in Oregon called the police on his neighbor for weed, only to learn the neighbor was a licensed medical patient treating his dog’s epilepsy. The cops laughed. The neighbor gave the man a weed-infused biscuit. True story.

So, can you report them? Sure. Should you? Only if you want a story to tell at parties. Otherwise, just close your window, light a candle, and let the skunkiness be your neighbor’s problem.