“It’s no secret that I smoke,” acknowledged the North Carolina native. “I mean everybody knows.” And if you’ll allow her to be, uh, blunt, she doesn’t think it’s a big effing deal. 

“I think it’s very important for me to normalize it for other mothers, because a lot of people are looked down upon because they smoke,” explained Janelle, who relocated to Las Vegas, where marijuana is legal in limited quantities, following her separation from David. “And I feel like it’s like a glass of wine at the end of the night.”

As for what’s been happening in Vegas, “I’m also working on, instead of in front of the camera, behind the scenes, working on different TV projects that I have lined up,” Jenelle revealed. But mostly she’s been enjoying having the chance to roll the dice on a new future. 

For the longest time, despite the toxicity of her union to David, “I was just so nervous, like, ‘Can I do this on my own? Can I take care of these three kids by myself? Will they listen to me without a male figure around?'” Jenelle acknowledged of what held her back from ending their marriage.

But more than a year after announcing her separation from David, she’s come to enjoy having full legal and physical custody of Ensley. 

While she and David are still due in custody court to figure out the particulars, “I’m actually parenting by myself with no one else’s opinion,” she noted. “And it feels great.”

Though she was initially intimidated by the idea of solo parenting, “I feel like the mother’s decision is the best decision,” said Jenelle. “Mothers know what’s best for their children, in their best interest, and I just feel like I’m very happy that the ball is in my court right now, because it’s a very imperative time for her to just find safety and stability. And I just want that to continue for her.”