Ocean City To Ban Marijuana Smoking On Boardwalk, Beaches

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Council proposed an ordinance Thursday that would ban smoking and vaping marijuana in public places.

In addition to cigarettes, cigars and vapes, smoking marijuana would be prohibited in public places, including the Boardwalk, beaches, parks, playgrounds and athletic fields.

“This update would make it clear that smoking that is banned in this ordinance includes smoking tobacco products, marijuana, hashish and cannabis. It does also include vaping,” said City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosso.

Smoking and vaping marijuana will also be prohibited on roads, waterways, service areas, outdoor events and outdoor dining areas.

A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for the council meeting on May 27.

The latest ordinance comes after council members voted unanimously in April to ban recreational marijuana businesses from operating in Ocean City.

Council members had concerns that marijuana use on the Boardwalk and beach would impact Ocean City's reputation as a family-friendly resort town.

Under the state law, towns that do not pass an ordinance by Aug. 22 will be barred from banning the retail sale of recreational marijuana for five years.

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