A recent A-hed column explored the rising popularity of marijuana among senior citizens-and the dust-ups it's causing with their neighbors. WSJ readers weighed in on the benefits of pot-smoking, the risks of today's high-potency weed and tips on how to avoid the issue of neighborly ire altogether. Here, edited for length and clarity, are a selection of your comments.
Not your mother's marijuana
What many people don't realize is that this isn't the weed of the '60s, '70s or even the '80s anymore. It has been scientifically enhanced and is multitudes more potent than its predecessors. -Michael Rheintgen
As for the smell, this ain't the pot from 1970s college campuses, which had a distinctive but not foul smell. The aroma of modern weed is sometimes hard to distinguish from the occasional outlets of sewer gas from the city's manhole covers. -Colin Greene
Love thy neighbor-and do edibles instead
You don't have to smoke pot, you know. Somebody tell these boomers to use the tinctures and save their lungs and their neighbors' sensitivities. -Diane Conklin
This isn't really about pot-smoking, it is about being a good neighbor, having respect for people in your community. If I was a pot smoker and the smell was consistently wafting into my neighbor's homes, I would search for a way to minimize it: air purifiers, fans, a smoking area away from my neighbor's door. I've seen special small fans in commercial spaces that pull smoke away from certain spaces. There must be a better solution for both parties to live in peace and comfort. -Amy Bean
Smoking anything is bad for your lungs. Be a good neighbor, bake some space cookies and share them with your neighbor. -Ray Kung
If you live in a state where pot is legal, you can buy THC vape cartridges like vaping nicotine. The exhaled steam has no smell at all. Er, at least that's what I've heard. -Raymond Robinson
It's better than booze
I'm an ER doc. Yeah, we see some MJ problems, but alcohol is, without a doubt, the king of ruinous behavior. -Kip Benko
I was friends with a senior woman who went to a lot of senior-citizen dances. She said there was always a huge crowd outside smoking pot. I asked her if anyone drank. She said all the drinkers are already dead. -Sean Clark
Many of my baby boomer friends smoke pot and do so respectfully and responsibly. Much rather be around a pot user than a drunk. -MaryAnn Benedetti
Don't harsh my mellow
I smoked pot in college when I had no responsibilities. (Probably explains my GPA!) But I got a job, had a family and had to do without for 40 years because I now had responsibilities. Now I'm a retired empty nester. Let's fire one up! -John Erickson
I am 72. My friends from bridge use gummies and drops for sleep. One woman had the drops "'prescribed"' to help her sleep while she awaits hip replacement surgery. A couple of bridge players take Adderall to play better and have vigorously asked if I would please take one, too. I thought the 70s were behind us, but here we are back in the 70s in our 70s. -Linda Schubert
At 98, I have smoked pot forever. Have never had issues or reasons to consider stopping. -Edward Jawer
I'm 73, still get up and go to work and still come home and enjoy my Cranberry Kush. -William Procopio
Cannabis is far cheaper than alcohol. You also don't dehydrate yourself, you'll sleep great and won't have a hangover.-Donald Vance
My 86-year-old mother was given a prescription for cannabis when she was placed in hospice. She became a convert and told all of her friends to get a prescription because it increased her quality of life. As a recent retiree, I vape a little before my daily three-mile walk to help with my arthritis, and I vape a little more around dinner time, which increases the quality of my sleep. -Wally Rooh
I'm high right now. Got me a pizza in the oven. -Steve Byrne
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