effects of neighbors marijuana use on my pregnancy

[amyandvince]

My husband and I live in a condo where we have neighbors below us.  I have been really worried because they constantly are smoking marijuana which we smell very strongly in our home.  The smell seems to rise up.  I am currently 7 months pregnant and am wondering if just by smelling the marijuana if it's possible for it to effect my baby.  I'm also worried about when we bring our baby home.  Can marijuana enter your system if you just smell it?  We've tried calling the police and also contacting our association but they just continue to use marijuana.  Thank you very much.

[Sadler 24]

hello,
i see your point, and it is not the nicest smell, i know i would be worried if i brought my newborn home and it smelled like pot in the house, we have a 6 year old a 4 year old and a 10 week old (all boys) i was over at my friends last week and her uncle lives downstairs, all of the sudden the whole house smelled like pot, i pretty much packed up the kids and left, i don't like the idea of my kids having to be around that stuff, any kid for that matter, if you have complained and nothing has been done about it then if i were in your shoes i would just move, especially if it is an every day occurance. i wouldn't think that would be healthy for any one especially a new born.
good luck, and hopefully this becomes resolved!!!
jenn

[chey101]

i don't know if this helps but i have gotten high just from my mom and brother smoking pot near me. i don't used any drugs so maybe that's why it effects me so much.
i agree with jen, i would be worried too.
chey

[nurse12hr]

Start documenting everything in writing.  Write the condo assoc.  Tell them you will consider legal action if you or your unborn baby are affected.  The next time you smell it, call the police, then when they come, demand a copy of the police report.

If marijuana is detected in YOUR urine sample for some reason, you will NEED documentation that the situation is what you say it is.  

Be prepared, and document everything.

[cp760]

Have you tried talking to your neighbors? Maybe they don't even realize that others can tell (smell) what they're doing. If they know that you know, they might stop just to avoid getting busted by the cops. When I was younger I remember being at a party and people were smoking pot and the neighbors came over to complain and everyone stopped doing it right away (or took it elsewhere) just to prevent trouble. I would try that before moving...moving is a lot of work, expense and stress. Especially if you tell them the situation with your pregnancy and newborn...I can't imagine they would continue to do it knowing that it may effect the health of a baby.  Hopefully they're understanding people. Maybe even try leaving a note in their mailbox if you want to stay annon.

[MBen]

Christie's idea is a great one.  I totally agree.  If the association is afraid of a lawsuit, they'll do something about it!  

What happens when you call the police?  Why is nothing being done?  This really annoys me just listening to it.  It's so unfair to you!

[amyandvince]

I have tried to talk to them on several occassions and so has my husband.  They are 50 years old and could care less about anyone around them.  The wife actually physically removed my husband from the house as he was trying to explain the situation to her husband.  I will try calling the association with some more force than I have.  I also plan to visit my local police department in person to see if they can point me in the right direction.  My husband and I are considering moving.  We found a townhome but it's in a new tract so it won't be built until August 2004.  That's about all we can afford right now.  Home prices have skyrocketed here.  Currently I'm leaving all of the windows open and I am using a Hepa filter which I am hoping helps.  Thank you everyone for your advice.  I really appreciate the support.

[gg47]

I totally feel sympathetic to your feelings.  I have a 22 year old daughter who is 8 weeks pregnant and refuses to stop smoking marijuana.  I feel so distraught about it thinking what could possibly happen to my unborn grandchild.  I will tell you that I have researched it on the internet to try and have something to show her to prove that she is harming her baby.  I have looked everywhere and I will tell you there is no scientific evidence available that proves there is any harm to an unborn child when the parent smokes marijuana.  So I guess I am telling you this because I doubt that your child will be effected by it according to the experts but if I were you it would still annoy me that someone could be so inconsiderate.  You shouldn't have to smell it in your home.  Yankee candles, a lot of them, may help too.