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My daughter takes Saturday morning violin lessons in a small music school in our town. There are several rooms that open into a common waiting area, and various simultaneous lessons going on. The owner is usually present, teaching voice or piano when we are there.

Several times when we have entered, I have smelled marijuana. At first I thought I was wrong but I am sure of it. My best guess is that some partying goes on there on Friday nights and the smell lingers into Saturday morning. The school has a lot of drum and guitar students including adults (not to generalize by instrument, but I know they play in groups and have an "adult rock band.")

The smell is pretty strong and unpleasant, at least to me. I've tried to mention it to the violin teacher but she seems kind of oblivious (she is in her one teaching room most of the time and it doesn't really smell in there and she teaches elsewhere on other days).

Would it be out of line to say something to the owner? Is it possible that her teachers and/or students are getting high on her premises when she is not around and she is not aware of it? If so, she might want to know. Or do you think she knows and would be offended by my mentioning it? What would you want a parent to do if it were your music school? Say something or just leave if they don't like it?

You don't say where you live, but in most locales, it's illegal. You should advise the owner that you're concerned, that this is a problem, especially for students with allergies, and you might mention that he's putting his school at risk, whether he's aware of it or not.

In many locales, smoking inside public places at all is illegal. You might simply say that there's a smell of smoke in the premises which is bothering you, and leave it at that. Or you could take it on yourself to open a window.

I'm sure the owner has a nose, and the violin teacher. Surely, between them they have at least one.

"I've tried to mention it to the violin teacher..."

This is puzzling--- you either mentioned it, or you didn't.

Jeff-- I mentioned it to her. She didn't react. It was the first day I noticed it and I wasn't 100% sure. Since then I am more certain. The violin teacher seems to come in, do her own thing, and not be involved in the school overall.

I do open windows when I come in. There is another set of parents who are usually there when we are there and I asked what they thought. They said they did smell something but were unfamiliar with the smell of MJ and didn't realize that's what it was (they didn't grow up in the US). They thought the garbage needed emptying

Right. Which makes me think she knows and must approve since it has now been multiple occasions. Maybe I am a party pooper. It's just not something I enjoy smelling for the duration of my daughter's lesson. It's unpredictable, not there every week. I'm concerned about insulting her (the owner).

Good advice.

I would just take my business elsewhere.

Of course, someone may just be wearing patchouli cologne which smells quite similar. I think this is a time to simply mind one's own business.

Hmmm. Patchouli cologne, twenty-something musicians, weed smoke. It all makes sense!

Old hippie. Been there, done there, wore out the t-shirt.

That's impossible. Musicians don't use reefers.


Seriously, though, I don't know what it would achieve to make a fuss. If you're uncomfortable there, it's probably best to find another school.

Is her teacher a phenomenal instructor with whom she has made an indelible bond? If not, and this is just a first step into the music world, then start to look around for the next step.

Perhaps you could sit in at the keyboard with the adult rock band one Friday night and see if someone passes you a joint.

Or you could light up a stick of incense during your daughter's lesson to drown out the marijuana smell.

Or you could just mention to the owner that you are bothered by a strange marijuana-like smell in her building on some Saturday mornings. Could she investigate?

Time for a visit to the "Glade" aisle in housewares in your grocery store for a plug in "helper" for odor removals. The latest is a pomegranate aroma.

Opening a few windows helps too.

The owner needs to know you've detected it, I think.

Betty

It must be the bass player...

Better hope the drums don't stop!

When it comes to non-criminal issues, I'm a great believer in MYOB.

The problem we confront here is that in the USA, there are many laws on the books which make you an accessory if you fail to report a crime. Because of this, the situation becomes murky, which is why I recommended bringing it to the attention of the owner, but not in an off-handed way, but straight forward, so that you've removed the monkey from your back.

"Well officer, I smelled an odor which was suspicious, but in this day and age, there are many incenses which have similar aromas, there is no way I could know one way or the other. I'm no expert, so I reported it to the owner. Since I didn't see any crime, I naturally had nothing to report to authorities."

Of course, another approach is to walk. Tell the owner that your allergies are really affected by whatever that "really unpleasant" odor is in the lesson room, and unless he cleans it up, you'll have to look elsewhere for lessons. This approach solves your problem, and if enough students follow suit, the owner will get the message.

ah yes.. diplomacy.

I am one of those for whom odors can be a health issue. I have a sign posted in my studio about perfumes/aftershaves, etc., because inhaling them really does make it hard for me to breathe.

I see no problem mentioning something to the owner about the strange odors. It is a general health issue to many, if not yourself.

"Tell the owner that your allergies are really affected by whatever that "really unpleasant" odor is in the lesson room, and unless he cleans it up, you'll have to look elsewhere for lessons."

Nice solution--- it nails the problem without turning you into the police. It also takes care of having your kids in a place where smoking goes on.

Minniemay has a very good point about colognes and fragrances; many people are very sensitive to them, others find them offensive if bearable, and some teenagers (and others) don't seem to know when to quit. I've seen them drop people at twenty paces at the mall.

Anyway, poor ventilation is unhealthful, especially during cold and flu season. Odors can tip one off that the premises may not be as cleanly as they should be. A polite but to-the-point note or e-mail to the owner (something in writing) might get the job done.