Well I'm telling you what you're hearing is way off. As long as you're not smoking in public areas where there would be crowds of people who would complain or a cop is walking by, nobody is going to bother you. Be smart and considerate.
There's shops everywhere, you can smoke and enjoy inside if you want.
I used to blaze up in the parks or outside my house all the time but I'd be discreet and aware of my surroundings. Never an issue.
As I said before, you can literally have weed on your carry on or luggage as long as you're flying domestic.