You know that marijuana use is on the rise. Partly it is due to it being legalized in many states or at least decriminalized. The other reason is the train wreck that is 2020. The point is that along with increased use comes increased use in cars. You’re not supposed to but you’re not supposed to speed and lately, everybody is doing it. But with that weed smell comes, well, weed smell. But if you’re selling your Prius and it reeks of pot you can expect a lower sale price.

“It’s way more prevalent of an issue with smells coming back in our vehicles smelling like weed,” Thad Szott, co-owner of Szott M-59 Toyota in Waterford, Michigan, told Fox2 News. When those rentals and loaners roll in reeking of cannabis they have a tough time getting that dank smell out. “It’s a little more oily-based so that’s one of the reasons it’s harder to get out,” Thad says. He says it’s even harder to remove pot smell than cigarette smell. 

Sometimes he has to use expensive professional smoke bomb deodorizers to get rid of the smell

Sometimes he has to use expensive professional smoke bomb deodorizers to get rid of the smell. “The detailers that we pay hourly have to spend time with the vehicle, well over an hour process by the time it’s start to finish,” he says. One situation required three smoke bombs to get rid of the reek. The dealership charged the driver $300. “And really still didn’t get the whole smell out of it.”

Szott says that you can expect depreciation of 5% to 10% if it stinks of pot. That is because on a trade-in the dealer has to take into account getting the smell out. As the price of cleaning goes up the value goes down. 

What are some of the ways to get the dank out?

What are some of the ways to get the dank out? Masking fragrances might work. Febreze is a name brand that masks odors. But they normally last only about four to six hours. Colognes, incense, and body sprays also can be used to mask that pot smell.

There are also odor absorbers. Activated charcoal is used to get rid of many smells. They even use it in marijuana dispensaries to keep the smell down. The carbon in charcoal has a negative charge which attracts dissolved gases and toxins to its surface. It has no smell, is non-toxic, and eco-friendly. Baking soda also can be used. Just sprinkle some on the seats and carpet. After about one hour vacuum it out. 

Both white vinegar and vodka also work for removing odors

Both white vinegar and vodka also work for removing odors. You can pour one or the other in a small bowl and leave it overnight. You can also mix one cup of one or the other with one cup of water as a spray. Spray and porous surfaces and let it dry overnight. 

An odor eliminator like Ozium Air Sanitizer works great if you have the time. Because the chemicals used in Ozium are strong you must wait several hours before returning to your car’s interior. Chemicals like triethylene glycol and propylene glycol work together to attach to airborne bacteria. In effect, you’re purifying the air. 

But to reiterate, it is illegal to smoke pot and drive, just like it is illegal to drink and drive. Get it? You can also save the hassle of getting rid of the reek by keeping your puffing to your own house, yard, or basement.