Glen Cove officials ban marijuana smoking, vaping in public

The Glen Cove City Council has unanimously approved a law that bans smoking marijuana or vaping it in public spaces.

The law restricts marijuana consumption in a range of public areas, from roadways and sidewalks to parking garages and beaches, making it more restrictive than rules in neighboring municipalities. Glen Cove police officers can hand out summonses to individuals who violate the new code, with fines going as high as $250 for a second offense.

Residents on Tuesday night packed Glen Cove City Hall for the meeting, which included a hearing on the law before the scheduled vote. The City Council held its first hearing on the proposed law on Nov. 25.

Conflicting opinions

Some residents on Tuesday spoke in opposition of the new code, claiming it is too restrictive and singles out marijuana smokers and doesn’t include tobacco smokers. Others praised the law as an important step to improving quality of life in the city.

Marijuana “is not a gateway drug,” said Jeff Peress, 54. He called for the city to table its vote and include cigarettes in its legislation.

Norma Pinkney, 59, called the law “a money scheme” and said it unfairly targets marijuana smokers.

Democratic Councilwoman Marsha Silverman said many apartments in the city don't allow smoking inside. The new restriction could make it difficult to smoke anywhere in the city for those residents, she said, adding that the council should also consider future rules to make designated areas for smoking marijuana. 

"It seems like there could be people who will not be able to smoke anywhere," Silverman said. 

Daniel Oliva, 34, supported the bill and said he was open to adding more restrictions for cigarette smoke in public places.

“I don’t want my child exposed to that smoke,” Oliva said.

Bruce Kennedy, 61, said the new law will give police “a clear civil enforcement mechanism.”

“This proposal is not about criminalizing responsible adults,” Kennedy said. “It is about protecting our children, our family, and the health and quality of everyone who lives, works and visits here in the city.”

Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said additional rules related to smoking in public “could be a later step” of the council.

“The stench of marijuana is awful … we are trying to do something about it,” she said at the meeting.

The new law includes a fine of up to $100 for a first offense or up to five hours' community service. A second offense within a year raises the upper limit of the fine to $250 or 10 hours' community service. Violations of the law will be treated as civil violations, according to city documents.

Some rules elsewhere on LI

Then-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation in 2021 legalizing recreational use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. 

The Nassau County Legislature that year banned the smoking and vaping of marijuana on all county-owned property including beaches, parks and sidewalks, Newsday has reported.

The Town of North Hempstead prohibits smoking and vaping on town property, including parks, according to its code. Robert Bogle, the deputy town attorney, said in an email that North Hempstead doesn't have a ban on public consumption.  

The Town of Hempstead bars individuals from consuming marijuana “in any Town of Hempstead park or park district park, marina or beach, including indoor and outdoor locations,” reads its code.

The Town of Oyster Bay’s code indicates smoking is not allowed “at the public beaches and parks owned or operated by the Town of Oyster Bay or any of the Town of Oyster Bay Park Districts, except in designated smoking areas as indicated by posted signs.”

Long Beach has ordinances that restrict smoking of any kind in places like public parks and on buses, said John McNally, a city spokesman. He said the city doesn’t have any rules banning smoking on sidewalks.

Some villages also have specific smoking ordinances. In Farmingdale, smoking marijuana is prohibited on Main Street, village property, Long Island Rail Road parking lots and within 500 feet of a school, ballfield, playground, park or place of worship, according to its code. 

By Joseph Ostapiuk

joseph.ostapiuk@newsday.com@OstapiukJ