Editor's note: This article has been reviewed and updated for accuracy in 2026. Let’s say that you enjoyed a joint in the parking lot a week ago, and now you’ve been asked to drive your prim-and-proper mother-in-law to the hospital using that same car. You hardly notice the very mild — though quite pleasant — odor of MJ, but you’re worried that mommy dearest won’t feel the same way. In this and countless other scenarios, many of which involve freaking out over the thought of being pulled over by the cops (and their drug dogs) while your vehicle smells of weed (even though you definitely never drive under the influence, and cannabis is perfectly legal where you live), you just want that weed smell gone from your car. Why Weed Smells Linger in Cars Any experienced stoner knows that cannabis smells really don’t tend to stick around that long. You can comfortably have a joint in your home and be rid of the smell of weed by the next day. Cars, though, are a different story entirely. Why does the smell of weed linger in cars? Well, think about it like this: <!-- /wp