On Monday, May 24 Nassau County legislators unanimously voted to ban cannabis use, including smoking and vaping on all county-owned property. This includes beaches, parks, and sidewalks.

With this in mind, people in violation of the new law will face fines of $25. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran backs the bill.

Initially, the legislation had set the fine at $200. Thus, making it the same as the penalty for smoking or vaping nicotine on county property. But ultimately lawmakers decided to keep the fine the same as the amount set by the state. 

Be that as it may, Legis. John Ferretti (R) and other Republicans said the $25 fine was not enough. “What kind of message does this send to our children?” Ferretti asked. “The fact that our hands have been tied by Albany is a travesty.”

New York’s Marijuana Program

In late March, Governor Cuomo signed legislation legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21.

Counties, cities, towns, and villages may opt out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or licenses for on-site consumption. But they cannot prohibit the recreational use of marijuana by adults in their areas. Nassau County residents are now banned from smoking and vaping marijuana on county-owned property. Residents of Nassau County will still be able to smoke or vape marijuana in the county if they are on private property.

Nassau County Push Back

Before New York legalized recreational use, Curran said that she opposed legalizing the recreational sale of marijuana in Nassau County.

“As a parent, I know we must do everything we can to keep cannabis out of kids’ hands and out of public spaces where minors may be present — including all County parks and facilities,” Curran said in a statement.

The legislation to ban cannabis use will go into effect immediately after Curran signs it.

William Biamonte, chief of staff for minority legislative Democrats, said: “Nassau County residents have every right to expect that the air they breathe at parks and other County-owned properties will be free from secondhand smoke and vapors of any kind. Today’s action is an important step toward preserving smoke-free public places for all to enjoy.”

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