Ocean City Bans Marijuana Smoking In Public Places

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City council passed an ordinance Thursday that bans the smoking and vaping of marijuana in public places.

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

Smoking and vaping marijuana is also prohibited on roads, Boardwalk ramps, waterways, service areas, outdoor events and outdoor dining areas.

During the second reading of the ordinance on Thursday night, city solicitor Dorothy McCrosso found that the 29th Street playground was missing from the list of specific parks and playgrounds where marijuana smoking is banned.

Council voted to amend the ordinance to include it. Though smoking under pavilions would be prohibited since they are on the Boardwalk, council clarified the ordinance to include the specific names of each pavilion.

The new 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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