As much as you might enjoy using cannabis, there’s no denying that it has a unique, funky odor. Some people describe it as smelling like incense or patchouli, while others just think it smells like skunk.
Some ways of using cannabis stink less than others, but it can be a challenge to mask that smell. There are plenty of reasons to try to mask the smell of weed, whether you’re keeping your usage on the down-low or just trying not to disturb your neighbors. Here are our top ways to mask the smell of weed.
Why Should You Hide?
There are plenty of situations why you might want to be discreet with a cannabis habit. There is still a strong stigma attached to it, especially in the workplace. Whether you want to keep things subtle at a family event or separate your personal life from your professional life (check out our post on the best way to pass a drug test here), it’s always helpful to learn how to cover up the smell of cannabis.
Best Ways to Mask the Smell of Weed
In general, methods of masking the smell of weed fall into one of three categories: neutralizing the odor, covering it, or using a deodorizer.
Method One: Use a Smoke Neutralizer
Do a quick Google search, and you’ll find tons of products that are marketed specifically as being able to neutralize the smell of cannabis. These are pretty nifty in that they actually attach to the plant particles in the air, eliminating them in a matter of minutes.
Smoke neutralizers are also helpful because most of them are odorless. They don’t get rid of the weed smell by covering it with other smells. The goal is to neutralize the smell altogether and have the space smell, well, neutral.
Method Two: Cover it Up
One of the most classic ways of covering up the smell of weed is to cover it with a different scent. Of course, you have to choose the right product to avoid smelling like the new scent PLUS weed.
This is where the classic stereotype of pot smokers burning incense comes from. You have to tread carefully with this method, since doing it wrong can result in your overall scent being pretty overwhelming. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with lighting up a scented candle after smoking in your living room.
Method Three: Air it Out
If you have the option, it’s always better to smoke or vape in a place with good airflow. Not only is it better for your health, but you’re less likely to have the smell cling to you. If you can, open some windows, turn a fan on, or even flap some papers around. You’ll be surprised at what an effect it has.
Method Four: Deodorize
There are also plenty of effective deodorizers on the market, many of which are advertised as specifically for cannabis. Deodorizers are not the same as neutralizers. While neutralizers erase the smell completely, deodorizers are designed to cover it up, usually with a subtle but more appealing scent.
Method Five: Choose a Different Consumable
If smoking or vaping is just too smelly for your situation, consider getting your cannabis in a different way. The classic example is through edibles, including gummies, baked goods, or cannabutter. These obviously don’t have much of a discernable scent at all (so little that people can mistake them for regular food).
There is also some evidence that consuming cannabis via ingestion rather than inhalation will make you more likely to pass a drug test. Our bodies metabolize cannabis in food differently than in vapes or joints, so if you’re wondering how long to pass a drug test, edibles might be your best bet.
THC from edibles is no longer detectable in blood after four hours and in saliva after three days. However, it can still be detectable in urine up to 30 days depending on the dosage.
Masking Smells Effectively
Masking the smell of weed can involve some trial and error. Most people eventually seem to find a combination of factors that work for them. Maybe you decide to smoke out of an open window with a fan on. Or maybe you burn some incense, light a candle, or do a quick spritz of deodorizer. Once you find what works for you, you might end up surprising people who never knew you used cannabis.