ROCK HILL, Mo.—Rock Hill officials encourage its residents to make a big stink about the reported bad odor coming from a local marijuana production facility by submitting a complaint to the city. It comes while the city seeks answers and help.

The city invited Proper Cannabis, allegedly responsible for the smell, to the next board meeting, February 3.

“We invite every resident to attend,” stated the City of Rock Hill on social media. “We have invited representatives from Proper Cannabis to come—to update the City on what steps they have completed in attempting to mitigate the odor problem and why we have seen a recent uptick in odor issues.”

Spectrum News reached out to Proper Cannabis and has yet to hear back.

Last April, the city stated it was aware of odor issues and was working with the facility and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to solve the odor issue.

“DHSS has received complaints from two individuals for a licensed cannabis facility location in Rock Hill and is investigating the circumstances to determine if this location is in violation of cannabis program regulations,” said DHSS in a statement to Spectrum news. “By rule, cultivation and manufacturing licensees are required to mitigate odors from all odor sources by developing, implementing, and maintaining an odor control plan; to engage a professional engineer or certified industrial hygienist to review and certify the plan; and to maintain compliance with local ordinances related to odor.”

DHSS adds that it defers to local governments on whether a licensee is compliant with local ordinances.

A person standing outside and is able to smell an odor is a violation of Rock Hill’s ordinance governing marijuana-related activities.

“No odor shall be detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell at any point outside the property boundary of the facility,” per city ordinance. “All marijuana facilities shall be equipped with odor control filtration and ventilation systems to prevent odors of marijuana from leaving the premises.”

Rock Hill says Saint Louis County Environmental Services Department measured its air and declared that it did not meet the standard to be an air pollution issue.

Some nearby residents chose to make light of the issue.

“I only smell it sometimes around 6:30-7:00 in the mornings,” commented Terry on Rock Hill’s social media post. “I love the smell of fresh herbs in the morning!”

Others applauded Proper Cannabis.

“Smells like someone doing their job correctly. Proper is a great company in a sea of thieves,” posted Max on Rock Hill’s social media update. “How’s this any different than the mash in at the brewery. Smells great to me.”

Most commenters noted the weed smell being an upgrade to odors from another source and wish the city addressed that issue instead.

“I welcome the scent of the marijuana facility over the smell of the dump,” posted Melissa. “I don’t understand why this has gained more attention than the dump.”

“If we’ve got a City willing to take action on smells, let’s start with the rotten sewage stink,” posted Jo. “Please create a landfill stench email address!”

Rock Hill posted the complaint form for the marijuana odor and asks that residents who smell the issue to fill it out and email it to them (mmcomplaints@health.mo.gov).