Teen Tactics: Unveiling the Methods Used to Mask the Smell of Marijuana

Today, more teens smoke marijuana than ever before–roughly a quarter of high schoolers reported smoking marijuana between 2021 and 2022. More than 30% of teens smoke marijuana at least once a year, and despite the pungent smell of marijuana, many of them do it at home. As a parent, you may wonder how your teen may mask the smell of marijuana. Perhaps you have smelled it but are not sure where it is hidden. Adolescents can be resourceful. 

Top 5 Methods Teens Use to Mask the Smell of Marijuana

Due to the changing social attitudes and cultural representations of marijuana use, these tactics have become signature strategies among teens who smoke marijuana. It bears mentioning that adolescents may employ a combination of these strategies. 

For example, a teen may choose to smoke in a bathroom, waiting until their parents are asleep. They may turn on a hot shower and place a damp towel under the door. Then, they may crack open a window, take a hit, and blow the smoke out the window through a sploof. These tactics are sometimes foolproof, especially if parents do not know what signs to look for. 

Make a Sploof 

A sploof is made using an empty toilet paper roll and dryer sheets. A dryer sheet is secured over one end of the tube using a rubber band, and then additional sheets are stuffed into the tube. When using a sploof, a teen will exhale through the open end of the tube, pushing smoke through the dryer sheets and neutralizing the odor. 

Find a Bathroom and Turn on the Shower

Bathrooms with windows are often a teen’s first choice of location when smoking marijuana at home. Before smoking, they may turn the shower on with the water at the hottest setting, turning the bathroom into a steam room to counteract the smell of marijuana. Teens may also jump into the shower to wash off any lingering odors when they are finished smoking.

Place a Towel Under the Door

While smoking indoors, teens may also use towels to prevent any smoke from slipping through the cracks of the door. They may dampen a towel and roll it lengthwise, placing it between the bottom of the door and the floor, keeping any smoke inside the room. Teens attempting to smoke indoors commonly seek out bathrooms with fans and windows to help diffuse any smell as well.

Open a Window and Turn on the Fan

Although this method may sound like common knowledge, many teens simply resort to opening a bedroom or bathroom window and blowing marijuana smoke directly outside. Some adolescents may place a small fan on the windowsill to push the smoke outside further. 

With the fan facing outside, they can blow (perhaps using a sploof) smoke directly into the back of the fan, which pushes the smoke out. More resourceful teens may burn incense or candles or spray odor eliminators like Ozium as an added measure to mask the smell. 

Use a Vape 

One of the more novel ways to smoke marijuana among teens includes vaping. Vaporizers (or vapes) are more potent, more discrete, and produce far less odor compared to other forms of smoking marijuana. 

E-cigarettes and vapes have become increasingly popular among middle and high-school-aged youth over the last decade. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), teens who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to use marijuana than adolescents who do not vape. 

Where Are Teens Likely to Hide Marijuana? 

If your teen is smoking marijuana at home, chances are that they are also hiding it and other drug paraphernalia nearby. For example, teens may hide marijuana in their bedroom, closet, or bathroom. Common hiding places for marijuana in these areas include the following:

• Deodorant cans
• Shoes or shoeboxes
• Empty markers and highlighters
• Pencil cases or cosmetic bags
• Furniture drawers
• Coat pockets

Additional Hiding Spots and Tricks

If your teen has a car of their own, they may hide marijuana in their glovebox, tape it under a seat, or put it in the console. They may also opt to hide their drugs in the backyard or around the front or back porch if your home has them. 

In these hiding spots, you may also find other items, such as rolling papers, lighters, grinders, or glass pipes. Moreover, teens may store marijuana in airtight containers or with coffee beans to further mask the smell of marijuana.

Other Signs of Marijuana Use in Adolescents

Although the smell of marijuana is quite an obvious one, other indicators that your teen is smoking may be easier to overlook. The effects of marijuana are both physical and behavioral, and they may include the following: 

Physical Signs:

• Bloodshot, puffy, or watery eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Drowsiness
• Lack of coordination
• Frequent coughing

Behavioral Signs:

• Problems with memory or concentration
• Disorientation or confusion
• Lack of motivation
• Slow response times
• Excessive giggling 
• Excessive snacking outside of mealtimes (otherwise referred to as “the munchies”) 

Teens’ Changing Attitudes Toward Marijuana

Though marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, more than 20 states have decriminalized and legalized recreational marijuana. As a result, societal and cultural ideas about marijuana have shifted over the last decade. This gradual change is evident in teens and young adults, too. Many teens view marijuana as safer than other drugs or alcohol. 

Often, they do not realize that marijuana can be addictive and that smoking it during adolescence can carry long-term risks. Marijuana use in teens has been linked to increased rates of mental illness, including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia during adulthood.   

What Should Parents Do About Their Teens Smoking Marijuana? 

As a parent, it’s essential to not only keep an eye out for the signs but also to ensure your teen understands the dangers of smoking marijuana. Understand that as your teen grows older and more independent, they will be exposed to marijuana, among other drugs. 

Nevertheless, talking to your teen about the risks associated with smoking marijuana is crucial. Communication is critical, and it is vital to establish a firm stance on drug use for your family. At the same time, you should also listen to your teen’s perspective and concerns about marijuana: be open-minded and patient and use the opportunity to learn with them. 

Your child may choose to smoke marijuana despite your efforts to steer them away from substance use. If a loved one or family member uses medical marijuana, ensure your teen understands how that kind of substance use differs from recreational use, which is illegal for youth under 21. 

Marijuana Addiction Treatment for Teens and Young Adults at TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health

If you suspect your teen or young adult has developed a marijuana addiction, help is available. At TRUE Addiction and Behavioral Health, our marijuana addiction treatment program utilizes a combination of medical and psychiatric care, clinical therapy, and holistic practices to provide our clients with well-rounded and comprehensive treatment.

To learn more about marijuana addiction treatment and help get your teen on the road to recovery, call (615) 802-6460 or email Info@TrueAddictionBH.org today.