Well apparently my ability to detect odors in a house is limited to cat urine and cigarette smoke since I got an email related to a showing yesterday from a prospective tenant mentioning a smell that was "a lot like marijuana." Maybe I'm sheltered but I just thought the slight earthy odor was just the current tenants scent - apparently their scent is pot.

My question - will this smell be difficult to get rid of like cigarettes or cat urine? What is the best approach to getting rid of it permanently? Thanks.

Try shallow saucers of vinegar in several rooms for a day or two. Might also try an ozone generator if the vinegar doesn't kill the odor.

I also had that problem 2 years ago. After 30 showings of the property and no applicants, I called some of them back to ask if they had any questions about the house. A military couple wanted to rent the house but told me about the smell. I couldnot smell it.

Washed the walls, fans and windows with bleach water, then used a strong disenfectant for the air and we had the carpets professionally steam cleaned.

I called a month later and they said it was all good.

I think the smell is easier to get rid of than cigarette smell. Pine scented cleaner or painted walls usually gets rid of it for me. But those that know that smell will catch the slightest hint of it of it lingers.