I am not a drug user today. The most I ever did was take a drag off a J that was being passed around when I was with a group of people back in my late teens/early 20s. Even then I was drinking, so I cannot say for sure what I felt. The smoke definitely had a certain odor. Then all that kind of fell out of mind for me.
Fast forward to today. I am in my 50s. People will sometimes comment about the strong smell of weed on, or around, somebody. I guess I forgot what it smelled like. I also have allergy issues, but that has been mostly quelled due to years of allergy injections. One day recently I was at the Publix grocery store doing some shopping. These 2 young African-American women walked past me. The smell hit me in the face like a 2'x4' swung at me by Mark McGwire. It finally dawned on me: That is weed smell!! Then I realized I had been smelling this from time to time. It smells like shit, maybe seasoned with a healthy amount of paprika. Now I am noticing it more and more.
Here is the thing: I don't remember this shit smelling so strong back in the day. Yes, it had a distinct smell. But the shit I have been smelling and identifying as pot here lately is like chemical warfare. Has this shit changed or what? I have read about it being stronger now. But Goddamn, the smell is gross.