Depends on the strain/ I grew sativas last year and it didn't really smell until just before harvest, and only if I was right by it. First time with Indicas this year, if I put my nose by the plant it's skunky, but I won't know until it flowers. Legal here too with a big storage shed between my plants and the neighbors...plus we do have skunks that wander thru every now and then, so I'm not worried