Council considers ordinance to ban smoking cannabis in public spaces after resident complaints

Council heard a presentation from the police chief on a proposed ordinance to include cannabis in the city’s public smoking ban after residents reported cannabis smell and related quality-of-life concerns in neighborhoods and downtown.

"The police department was approached by some concerned residents in one of our neighborhoods about the smell of cannabis leading to some quality of life issues," the Police Chief said, adding that residents reported impacts at bus stops and outdoor dining areas.

City staff noted that the New Jersey Smokefree Air Act does not necessarily cover all sidewalks and outdoor spaces in the city, creating a gap the draft local ordinance seeks to fill by explicitly adding cannabis to the list of prohibited public smoking in certain areas, including within 35 feet of city buildings and in public parks and recreation spaces.

City Solicitor Mr. Bailey told the council that signage would be required and that medicinal cannabis use that is not smoked would remain permissible; he said medical users who smoke would still be subject to the ordinance’s location restrictions. Mr. Bailey said enforcement would be by summons for an ordinance violation rather than arrest and described penalties discussed by staff as $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third.

Council members framed the measure as a quality-of-life tool; the council did not vote to adopt the ordinance during the discussion and asked staff to refine language and signage requirements for future readings.