The newly introduced ordinance restricting the consumption of marijuana in public was unanimously continued to October’s ordinance meeting due to council members calling for tweaks. Sponsored by council members Nicole Renzulli and Matthew Reilly, the proposed ordinance would not allow marijuana consumption in public streets, sidewalks, walkways, alley and alleyways, parking lots, buildings and grounds associated with buildings that are open to the public. Additionally, it includes parks, athletic facilities, recreational facilities owned by the city as well as those portions of apartment houses, apartment buildings and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residences.

Governor Dan McKee signed into law the legalization of recreational marijuana on May 25. Since then, cities and towns were left to define their regulations and policies on how they will allow the use of the substance in the communities.

Reilly said this ordinance is the first step for Cranston – saying that currently the city is like the Wild West.

“Marijuana is legal, you can do it anywhere,” said Reilly. “As a municipality, we have to have some type of regulation – whether those are loose or tight is for this body to decide.”

The ordinance is tailored after the city’s alcohol ordinance, and Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti said Mayor Ken Hopkins is in full support of the ordinance primarily because he deferred to Chief of Police Col. Michael Winquist. Moretti carried Winquist’s message at Thursday’s meeting since Winquist was unable to attend.

Moretti reiterated that the ordinance follows the open container policies and said this is a quality of life matter since people walking by someone smoking will be exposed to the smell.

One resident, Pauline Derosa, offered public comment on the ordinance. She believes people should not be penalized for smoking marijuana on public streets, alleyways or parking lots.

“You are essentially forcing a person to smoke a legal substance within the confines of their residence,” said Derosa.

She added that many landlords prohibit smoking in rentals.

Councilwoman Aniece Germain said she had a problem with restrictions of marijuana on public streets and sidewalks – especially if someone is walking by and not causing any danger. She added that the council may be going too far into the private place with the ordinance.

Councilwoman Jessica Marino added her support to prohibiting marijuana use in public spaces.

“I don’t want to smell it, I don’t want my kids smelling it,” said Marino, mentioning that the ordinance still needed tweaks.

She said the state law defines some of the use to differentiate between medical use and recreational use of marijuana and the council could put in specific provisions within the city’s ordinance.

“This is definitely a topic that’s going to need a kind of deep dive and specificity to get it right,” said Marino.

Moretti mentioned to the committee that there is not going to be a perfect law – adding that the state did not adopt this overnight and consisted of years of controversy.