During a segment at a protest site, reporter Nick Watt described the scene for viewers, claiming at one point that he saw “some people who I would suggest might be interested in causing some trouble a little later on,” who were in masks and swimming goggles “for the tear gas.”The Scottish-born Watt also noted graffiti reading “F Trump” on a building being guarded by National Guardsmen and noted that “the mood in the crowd is getting more agitated” as the clock moved closer to the 8 p.m. curfew declared by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.But it was his next comment that lit a fire on social media”“The smell of weed is in the air,” he said. “People are not looking at all, Abby, like they are gonna abide by this curfew and get out of here,” he said.Watt’s weed comments were mocked on social media because marijuana has been legal in California since 2016 and ― like it or not ― it’s common to smell it even in places where there aren’t massive protests.Also, while Watt’s comments may have sounded as if he were hinting that tensions between protesters and the Guardsmen might lead to violence, many people pointed out that cannabis just tends to make people really mellow.HuffPost reached out to Watt for comment, but he did not immediately respond.However, his cannabis comments lit a fire on social media.“The mood in the crowd is getting more agitated. The smell of weed is in the air.”Uh, pretty sure Nick Watt doesn’t know how weed works. 😅💨 https://t.co/qvvQdq1YgY— Jim Stewartson, Antifascist 🇨🇦🇺🇦🏴☠️🇺🇸 (@jimstewartson) June 11, 2025What a wanker. It California, of course the smell of weed is in the air. It's completely legal. Be grateful. When you're high, you're rarely violent. pic.twitter.com/UYx7P7fG7G— 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒊, 𝑴𝑫 𝑭𝑨𝑪𝑺 (@diana_continimd) June 11, 2025The smell of weed in the air is not an indicator that things are going to get while. In fact it’s the opposite. A little weed might be just what this crowd needs. #LARiots #LAProtests— Jackie Jacob (@MammaJ1983) June 11, 2025I would challenge that reporter to try to find a single square-foot in this city that does not constantly smell like weed or isn't covered in graffiti but okay, I guess that merits the Marine Corps 🤷♂️— Colin (@CharlesRctp99) June 11, 2025Saying the smell of weed is in the air is unnecessary it’s 2025 not 1911 like come on California is ok with weed!!— Dj Omega Mvp (@DjOmegaMVP) June 11, 2025Has this guy never been to California? The smell of weed is always in the air.— Marcia Bishop (@CardsLady) June 11, 2025If the smell of weed is in the air, the crowd is not going to become agitated. Believe me.— JulieMaeW (@JulieMaeW) June 11, 2025Weed is legal there... I don't think that matters one bit, who cares if they smoke— Shane Connor 🇺🇲 (@ShaneConnor) June 11, 2025Is weed illegal in California? What is the purpose of that reportage?— General Han Xin is asleep. 🛌 (@General_Oluchi) June 11, 2025A group smoking weed doesn't seem like a violent insurrection requiring 5,000 military occupiers.A Taco Bell run and a nap sounds more appropriate.— Rebel Party 🇺🇸 (@Sjacobs2020) June 11, 2025Anything to Sensationalize: Weed’s Legal in Cali:‘Smell of Weed is in the Air,' Reports CNN From LA Protests https://t.co/VMZ2vQJRxq— Space Invader👽🇺🇸 (@Area51Field) June 11, 2025Close