Relaxed pot laws have led to a backlash of complaints linked to the odor emitted from smoking and vaping. To date, 24 states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana and several others have made it available for medicinal use.
This issue is especially thorny in the multifamily market. For example, pungent cannabis odors led a woman in Washington, D.C. to sue a tenant who lived in a rental apartment adjoining her home for making her sick from the smoke, according to a Bloomberg report.
The case went to trial, and a judge ordered the tenant to refrain from smoking pot in his own home and within 25 feet of the woman’s residence. In many jurisdictions, weed cannot be smoked on public streets, sidewalks, and parks, but it is allowed in one’s home.
Nonetheless, complaints by those living in the same building or nearby are on the rise. In some cities, cannabis users have been flouting laws prohibiting public smoking, and enforcement is rare.
No clear policy has emerged to balance the legal rights of those wanting to light up with the concerns of those overwhelmed by the pungent odors of marijuana. It’s an issue that both governments and multifamily owners have to contend with where pot has been legalized.
Related Stories
Urban Planning | Oct 12, 2023
Top 10 'future-ready' cities
With rising climate dilemmas, breakthroughs in technology, and aging infrastructure, the needs of our cities cannot be solved with a single silver bullet. This Point2 report compared the country's top cities over a variety of metrics.
Modular Building | Oct 11, 2023
Development startup brings modular solution to hospitality industry
The company's approach extends to various types of accommodations, from landscape hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts to compact micro hotels and food and wine-themed properties.
MFPRO+ News | Oct 6, 2023
Announcing MultifamilyPro+
BD+C has served the multifamily design and construction sector for more than 60 years, and now we're introducing a central hub within BDCnetwork.com for all things multifamily.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 24, 2023
Average size of new apartments dropped sharply in 2022
The average size of new apartments in 2022 dropped sharply in 2022, as tracked by RentCafe. Across the U.S., the average new apartment size was 887 sf, down 30 sf from 2021, which was the largest year-over-year decrease.
Self-Storage Facilities | Dec 16, 2022
Self-storage development booms in high multifamily construction areas
A 2022 RentCafe analysis finds that self-storage units swelled in conjunction with metros’ growth in apartment complexes.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 30, 2021
A post-pandemic ‘new normal’ for apartment buildings
Grimm + Parker’s vision foresees buildings with rentable offices and refrigerated package storage.
