{"id":1431,"date":"2021-09-29T22:12:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T22:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CBMiYmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5ld3N0aW1lcy5jb20vbG9jYWwvYXJ0aWNsZS9OZXctTWlsZm9yZC1jb3VsZC1iYW4td2VlZC1vbi10b3duLXByb3BlcnRpZXMtMTY0OTQzNTgucGhw0gEA"},"modified":"2021-09-29T22:12:48","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T22:12:48","slug":"new-milford-could-ban-weed-on-town-properties-danbury-news-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=1431","title":{"rendered":"New Milford could ban weed on town properties – Danbury News Times"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NEW MILFORD \u2014 Soon, if you\u2019re caught smoking marijuana on town-owned or town-leased properties in New Milford, you might get slapped with a fine.<\/p>\n

During an hourslong Town Council meeting Monday, members unanimously voted to continue creating an ordinance restricting marijuana use on town properties. The council will bring the ordinance to a public hearing before its next meeting on Oct. 12. The public hearing will take place just before the meeting at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

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The proposed ordinance would allow law enforcement to fine people found smoking or vaping marijuana on or inside town properties. The state already prohibits its usage in state parks and on state beaches and waters.<\/p>\n

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New Milford Mayor Pete Bass said the goal is to \u201cbasically just continue to make it safe for young children that use our town parks, our green, to make sure that it\u2019s safe, that they\u2019re not subject to cannabis smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At its next meeting, the council likely will take a final vote.<\/p>\n

Cannabis was legalized in Connecticut on July 1, meaning adults could possess up to one-and-a-half ounces of cannabis on their person, store up to five ounces in a locked container at home, or transport five ounces in a locked glovebox or trunk, according to the state\u2019s maijuana explainer site<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Marijuana retail is not expected to begin until late next year.<\/p>\n

In July, council members discussed Connecticut\u2019s decision to legalize cannabis and its implications for the town. At that meeting, they tried to figure out what the law could mean for New Milford and how they should approach usage regulations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Bass told the council he was looking for a \u201cregulated experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the amount of the fine has not been established, it could go as high as $250, the highest one allowed by state statute.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that it\u2019s going to depend upon what happens at the public hearings, what the citizens want,\u201d town attorney Randy DiBella said.<\/p>\n

Most of the money collected from the fines would go to the state, but the town would benefit, DiBella said, because fines would be paid through a state ticketing procedure.<\/p>\n

Moving into the future<\/h2>\n

During Monday\u2019s meeting, council members heard from DiBella.<\/p>\n

DiBella said the Zoning Commission did not want to enact a moratorium, but thought it would make sense to amend existing regulations to meet the recreational marijuana-use statutes.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe law is clear, it\u2019s absolutely clear, you can prohibit vaping, smoking and the use of marijuana, actually, on town property,\u201d DiBella told the council. \u201cSo, I drafted an ordinance in accordance with the authority of the statute and I\u2019ve given it to the mayor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councilmanr David Lawson asked DiBella if it still counted if a resident was in their private car on town property, to which DiBella said, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n