Head Start Prefers the Smell of Marijuana Rather then Fragrance oils.

 Lately, I’ve been running into a situation that’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and complicated—parents coming into the school office smelling strongly of marijuana.

At first, it felt like a problem I had to manage in the moment. The office is a busy place, and when someone walks in with that odor on their clothes or in their breath, it affects the space immediately. It also creates an awkward dynamic for staff and students, even when no one is trying to make it personal.

So, in an effort to keep the office environment as neutral as possible, I placed an itemizer diffuser in my office with essential oils. My intention was simple: reduce the smell in the space so the office could feel clean, professional, and welcoming.

Then the Complaint Happened

Today, I received a complaint from a parent about the smell of essential oils.

To be clear, I wasn’t trying to mask anyone’s presence or “ignore” what might be happening. I was trying to address the environment. But once a concern is raised—especially in a school setting—everything changes. An investigator was contacted, and I was asked to explain the situation.

When it came up, I explained honestly what I had been seeing: that parents were repeatedly entering the school smelling strongly of marijuana, and that I had added the diffuser to help the office not feel overwhelmed by that odor.

The Part That Surprised Me

What truly shook me was the advice I was given in response—essentially being told to ignore the smell and not address it with parents.

I understand that schools often have policies about how to handle sensitive issues. I’m not dismissing that. But I can’t wrap my head around the idea that we should treat a strong marijuana odor as something we’re expected to “look past,” while another odor—essential oils—becomes a problem that needs attention.

Because in real life, staff and families experience these smells. They affect the environment. They can affect comfort and professionalism in the moment.

And from a common-sense perspective, it feels backwards: why would anyone prefer the smell of marijuana in a school office over the smell of essential oils meant to freshen the space?

What I’m Learning From This

This situation has highlighted something important: even well-intended solutions can become complicated when policies, complaints, and boundaries aren’t aligned.

Here are the lessons I’m taking away:

• Intent doesn’t always match perception. Even if the diffuser was meant to keep the office neutral, someone can experience the scent negatively.
• Schools must follow procedure. If there are guidelines about how concerns should be raised, it matters that staff follow them.
• Communication matters. There’s a difference between addressing an issue and escalating it—schools need a consistent, approved approach.
• Safety and professionalism still come first. Whether it’s a harmful or distracting odor, the office environment should be handled thoughtfully and according to policy.

A Note on Respect and Expectations

I want to be very clear: people deserve respect, and families deserve to be treated with dignity. But schools are workplaces, and they’re also spaces where children are present. That means adults—staff and visitors—should understand that the environment needs to be safe, appropriate, and professionally maintained.

If the smell of essential oils is upsetting to someone, that should be addressed through a proper channel. If the smell of marijuana is appearing repeatedly, that also should be handled through appropriate policies and documentation, not silently ignored.

Where I Go From Here

At this point, I’m focused on doing what’s right within the school’s process—cooperating with the investigation, clarifying my intent, and making sure the office environment is handled in a way that aligns with expectations for staff conduct and student safety.

I still believe my action was meant to protect the office atmosphere. But I also understand that schools require clear rules, consistency, and communication—not “fixes” that may create new issues.