[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Charlestown 7-10-2023 by Ord. No. 403. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The smoking or vaporizing of cannabis or cannabis products on
any beach, public street or highway, public sidewalk, public place
or any Town owned property, to include but not limited to parks, recreational
areas, schools, and town buildings, shall be prohibited.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
"Beach" means any sandy shore of the sea or an arm of the
sea whether above mean high-water mark, at mean high-water mark or
below mean high-water mark.
"cannabis" shall be defined by RI General Law 21-28.11-3
(6) as amended.
"Public Place" means any place to which the general public
has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other
lawful purpose. It shall also include the front or immediate area
of any store, shop, public and/or private parking lot, restaurant,
tavern or other place of business and also public grounds, areas or
parks.
"Public Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between
the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent
property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
"Public Street or Highway" means the entire width between
boundary lines of every way when any part of it is open to the use
of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic.
A.
Fines:
(1)
A first
violation of this section shall be punishable by a $100 fine.
(2)
A second
violation of this section by the same responsible person, within a
twelve-month period shall be punishable by a fine of $250.
(3)
A third
or subsequent violation of this section by the same responsible person,
within a twelve-month period shall be punishable by a fine of $500.
B.
Violators
shall be prosecuted by the Chief of Police of the Town of Charlestown
or his/her designee by issuance of a summons in the Municipal Court.
