The city of Glen Cove, located on Long Island, NY, will no longer allow marijuana consumption in public spaces after the city council unanimously approved a new local law at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9; a decision that generated mixed reactions among residents.
Under the law, which was discussed at the Nov. 25 meeting, “no person shall smoke or vape marijuana or any cannabis product in any public outdoor space within the jurisdictional limits of the city.”
The law establishes that infractions are civil in nature and will be punished with community service or a financial fine.
Tip Henderson, Glen Cove city attorney, explained that the law would essentially prohibit the use of marijuana in public places, including private businesses that are open to the public.
The city’s SAFE Committee met several times to develop specific wording for the proposal.
Detective Brian Glennon, also a member of the Glen Cove Police Department, stated at the Nov. 25 meeting that many police officers had observed high levels of marijuana use in public and compared the measure to policies implemented for public alcohol consumption.
Several residents expressed their approval of the law, and some stated that they did not want children to be exposed to marijuana.
“I don’t want my son to be exposed to that smoke,” Daniel Oliva said.
“This is about protecting our children, our families and the health of everyone who lives, works and visits Glen Cove every day,” said Bruce Kennedy.
“I don’t want Glen Cove to go in the wrong direction,” Patrick Logan said.
Some residents who oppose the law argued that it targeted certain people and was a way for the city to raise additional revenue.
Norma Pinkney said she smokes marijuana every day and believes the law hurts young people and people who don’t have the privilege of smoking in their own home.
“I think it’s a money-making scheme,” he said.
Jeffery Peress stated that marijuana is not a gateway drug and that if limits are imposed on marijuana use, they should also be imposed on tobacco use.
Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck said the law is intended to protect families and children.
“We don’t want marijuana to be smoked in public spaces where people are with their children,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Councilman Grady Farnin called the law “a first step for future discussions,” a sentiment council members shared in approving it.
Several council members expressed a desire to have future conversations to modify the law to fit the needs of Glen Cove, which could include the creation of designated marijuana smoking areas.
Councilman Kevin Maccarone said the council was looking for a middle ground that would allow people to use marijuana while still showing respect for others.
This legal measure against marijuana is not the council’s first. In July 2023, the city enacted a zoning law that significantly restricted the locations where new stores selling marijuana-related products could be established in Glen Cove.
The council also named Peter DiMaggio as deputy chief of the City of Glen Cove Police Department, following the promotion of Christopher Ortiz to chief following the retirement of William Whitton, who had held the position for 18 years.
DiMaggio was born and raised in Glen Cove, graduating from the city’s high school in 1994. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Long Island University and became a city police officer in 2000. DiMaggio was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and later to lieutenant in 2015.
Each council member praised DiMaggio by voting in favor of his appointment.
DiMaggio’s family was present during the swearing-in ceremony, presided over by Mayor Panzenbeck.
“You have the support of the entire city,” Ortiz told DiMaggio after the ceremony.
