What should be done when neighboring tenant's marijuana use is befouling our apartment?

First, I want to say that what consenting adults, and “old enough” teenagers who live with them, do behind closed doors is no business of mine and I really don’t care to know or think about. Like most people, I want to live life as peacefully and privately as possible and enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

My Girlfriend and I don’t have a lot of money and cannot really justify even having a decent apartment—but have rented an apartment and she has made it a very pleasant environment. These apartments were once luxury, in-the-woods country club resort – type apartments. Though still fairly decent the local demographic has degenerated. But we still have decent neighbors and most of us stay to ourselves except for friendly exchanges in the parking lot or mailbox area.

Some tenants have moved in below us who are scummier than most in the apartments.

Since that time, we first noticed the strong smell of marijuana in our bathroom. Over the past couple of weeks, it now permeates our entire apartment and is nearly unbearable in the bathroom and closets. These tenants regularly smoke it outside between three and four in the morning, but at least one of the tenants stays home all day smoking it.

I really wouldn’t care if it hadn’t become such a problem for us. It is a clear lease violation, but I am not sure if the ‘professional’ management is really professional enough to handle the situation confidentially and professionally.

In my city (Memphis), the police don’t arrest for marijuana unless it is a large amount, such as buying and selling. This is because the overwhelming amount of jail space is occupied by arrestees of innocuous private marijuana use.

The stench in our apartment has become unbearable. My GF should be able to enjoy the apartment. We should be able to have friends over and smelling Christmas trees and gingerbread. I am also afraid the smell is permeating our clothes since the closets are such enclosed recepticles of the downstairs air.

I do not wish to go to war with drug users and we would be penalized if we tried to get out of our lease. Not sure if management would be professional. Not sure if police would do anything unless we swore out a warrant. Don’t know what to do at all. But apartment is becoming unlivable.