Your Neighbor’s Weed Smoke Is Wafting Into Your Home—Here’s What California Law Actually Lets You Do

California law is pretty clear about where adults can (and cannot) use cannabis—but it’s murkier when your neighbor’s smoke keeps drifting into your living room. Here’s a practical, law-grounded guide to what’s legal, what’s not, and realistic steps you can take if cannabis odor or smoke is bothering you.

California legalized adult-use, but it also preserves local control and housing-level restrictions. In practice, that means private use is allowed, drift is not a right, and nuisance and contract rules decide most disputes—not state cannabis law. Your fastest wins usually come from clear documentation, collaborative fixes, and invoking the exact policy that governs your building or city.

👉 Audience Question: If you’ve dealt with cannabis odor in multi-unit housing, what actually worked—policy enforcement, building fixes, or neighbor agreements? What should cities prioritize: stricter smoke-free housing rules or better conflict-resolution and ventilation standards?