After living alone in a very affordable apartment, my cousin found a job in Whittier and moved in to become my roommate.

We had been close since childhood, and I was happy to welcome her since I was feeling lonely.

Living together meant less loneliness and we could split the living expenses, which wasn't bad.

The problem is... the neighbor directly below us who moved in last year.

At first, I didn't notice. One day, a strange smell started coming up from the bathroom.

I was wondering what this smell was when my cousin said, "Sister, I think someone is smoking marijuana?"

She was right. That distinctive, pungent marijuana smell.

After that, on weekdays, it mostly came up late at night, and on weekends, it started from the morning.

The more ridiculous part was that when I opened the window to ventilate, the same smell wafted up from below.

Eventually, I confirmed it was coming through the ventilation system, and our bathroom had almost turned into a marijuana smoking room.

I dislike the smell of cigarettes, so the marijuana smell is truly unbearable.

I get headaches, feel nauseous, and can't concentrate...

I thought it was a really bad environment for my cousin, who just graduated from college and is trying to start her career.

In the end, I called the manager to complain. I pointed out that our apartment lease states no smoking, so why is marijuana being smoked freely?

When I mentioned that the marijuana smell comes up every day and it's affecting our health, the only response I got was, "I will give a warning."

After that, it felt like they were smoking even more openly. The smell was noticeable every day.

When I contacted the manager again, they said they warned the resident below, but there was no change at all.

At this point, I felt unfair that I had to be the victim, closing my door every day, spraying air freshener in the bathroom, and opening windows.

The lease agreement clearly states that smoking indoors is not allowed....

Isn't it a problem to harm others like this?

My cousin seems to be stressed out, saying the smell comes up every time she showers.

On days when my head feels foggy, I don't even want to go to work. I'm considering moving, but with rent prices rising so much these days, it's not easy.

I guess this is what happens when you go for cheap rent and end up with complaints about neighbors.....

The management office doesn't help, and the guy downstairs doesn't even seem to have a job, as he's never seen outside.

They say it's a blessing to meet good neighbors.

In the end, I feel like I can't live in a house filled with the smell of marijuana....

Today, I am still looking for a new place to move.

When will I be able to live and breathe fresh air again?