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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours' kids smoking weed in the garden

29 replies

Starlighter · 08/04/2017 20:05

Our next door neighbours are nice enough, no previous issues, but they have two kids in their 20s who have started to smoke weed in the garden. The parents are out with them too, so they're obviously ok with it?!

The thing is, we can smell it. It wafts over our fence, over our washing and we can even smell it indoors sometimes. But I'm most worried about my children breathing it in. As soon as I smell it, I bring them straight indoors which seems unfair.

WIBU to say something to them? Even though it's in their own property? Am I overreacting? What would you do, if anything?

OP posts:
MarchEliza · 08/04/2017 20:07

I don't think you would be unreasonable to say you'd appreciate them moving away as the smell is coming into your home.

I don't think your children are at great risk from smoke outdoors.

The smell is nasty though.

MrsExpo · 08/04/2017 20:07

Presumably they do this in the garden so the house doesn't smell of the stuff. I'd have a word if I wereyou, along the lines of .... "What you do is your business, but please don't inflict it on us ..."

Annahibiscuits · 08/04/2017 20:09

Your kids won't get high from the smell

FerdinandsRevenge · 08/04/2017 20:09

How often is it? I'd ask them to try and keep it to evenings when the kids are likely to be inside. I like the odd smoke but at the end of the it is illegal so if you're pissing off the neighbourhood you have to stop

FerdinandsRevenge · 08/04/2017 20:10

But yes your kids won't get high and the actual smoke won't harm them especially no more than general outdoor car pollution

Jamhandprints · 08/04/2017 20:12

I think it's horrible and I'd definitely ask them to stop or call the police.

Eminybob · 08/04/2017 20:15

Op I feel your pain, my (elderly!) next door neighbours smoke it, they have the decency not to do it in the garden when we are out there, but even if they are inside with the doors open the smell drifts. Sometimes I can even smell it in my house.
No advice though sorry.

Glitterspy · 08/04/2017 20:15

How well do you get on with them? Is it bothers you then can you just ask them to smoke a bit further down their garden so it doesn't carry over to your garden/house/washing line so much?

I do think you're being a bit OTT taking the children inside - do they even know what the smell is? It's not like they're going to get passively high or instantly go out and become crackheads from smelling a bit of weed. But I wouldn't like to have cigarette smoke wafting over constantly from a neighbour either.

WorraLiberty · 08/04/2017 20:16

The police won't do anything about someone enjoying a joint on their own property.

I would tell them the smell bothers you and see if they can move away a bit.

But your kids will be fine and at more risk from general air pollution.

newmumwithquestions · 08/04/2017 20:21

In my opinion you are overreacting a bit, but you're entitled to live your life how you want to and if them smoking is affecting you you should say something. But is it just the fact its weed that's bothering you? It's not doing you any more harm that cigarette smoke would. Can they smoke at a different place in the garden? If so I'd just ask them to, but not in an agressive way, just that you know it's their garden but the smoke is blowing straight to theirs, can they please smoke at the end of theirs (or whatever you want them to do).
Please don't just call the police, that'd just piss everyone off and the police really won't be that interested.

Original poster
Starlighter · 08/04/2017 20:34

Thank U for all the speedy replies!

Although it smells awful, I was most worried about the smoke doing my children harm so it's reassuring to know that the general consesus is that it's harmless.

It's most days at the moment, in the mornings sometimes! I guess we're noticing it more as we've been out in the garden more due to the nice weather and easter holidays.

I'm hoping it's just a novelty and will wear off soon!!

Maybe I'll try to mention it casually to the parents if I see them. I'm so rubbish at things like that tho!

OP posts:
mumonashoestring · 08/04/2017 20:45

If they're smoking it in the mornings, are they driving afterwards?

ForalltheSaints · 08/04/2017 20:48

If they're smoking it in the mornings, are they driving afterwards? a very valid concern. Also by doing this in public if others can see them it will increase their chance of being burgled for their drugs.

Original poster
Starlighter · 08/04/2017 20:49

I'm not sure... sometimes, I guess. I'll keep an eye out.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 08/04/2017 20:49

A bag of weed is cheaper than 20 fags in most areas.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 08/04/2017 20:51

Our ndns smoke weed all the time. Whenever I go out the front, they are sat (sometimes on my front step!) smoking it, with their baby in a bouncy chair next to them. My house reeks and I can't open the windows because it's so bad. I can't do anything about it - they are quite scary so I'm worried they will damage my car or put my windows through if I say anything. I even reported them to Crimestoppers after I had had enough last year of their dealer parking on my drive blaring his music at all hours, but nothing was done. It really annoys me. Wouldn't mind so much if they did it in their own home but social services are involved with their kids who is on a child protection plan so they are "being responsible" by not smoking inside.

SoulAccount · 08/04/2017 20:55

I don't like this as it normalises the smell of weed for kids and gives them the idea that this is 'just what people do'

It is the most revolting sickly smell (these days) too.

I would tell them that the smell is very strong in your garden and could they please not do it while your kids are out / in the day when you have windows open.

Original poster
Starlighter · 08/04/2017 20:57

That's awful, AndNoneForGretchenWieners! Poor kids! :(

OP posts:
notgivingin789 · 08/04/2017 21:01

Are you sure inhaling second weed smoke is harmless ? I have a friend who smokes weed too much (shes quit it now) and I used to feel high/ dizzy when she was smoking it and me being around her.

zukiecat · 08/04/2017 21:05

It's horrible and I wouldn't like it either

I work in my local shop and I didn't know what cannabis smelled like til a customer came in reeking and a colleague told me what it was

It gives me a thumping headache every time a customer comes in reeking of it

I don't know what you can do about someone smoking it in their own garden though, though it is a horrible thing

notgivingin789 · 08/04/2017 21:10

That's how I felt zuckie I will get dizzy/ like headaches whenever I was around weed smoke.

WorraLiberty · 08/04/2017 21:11

I don't like this as it normalises the smell of weed for kids and gives them the idea that this is 'just what people do'

It is though.

Well, it's what lots and lots of adults do.

gammaraystar · 08/04/2017 21:14

Nothing you can do. Police won't do a thing about someone smoking cannabis on their own property. Even if they rent their landlord isn't likely to care either. It really is no worse than someone smoking cigarettes in their garden.

GardenGeek · 08/04/2017 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mycavitiesareempty · 08/04/2017 21:27

If it was me, I'd shimmy up closer to the fence. Loved a good spliff in my day, havent had one for 20 yrs. When weed was weed and not skunk. Still love the smell....

Sorry that is very unhelpful :)

Your kids will not come to harm from the odd whiff of a camberwell carrot.

Thing is, people do all sorts in their gardens: bonfires, bbqs, noisy kids' parties. If you can ignore it it will probably make for better relations

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