Smoking/Cannabis/Hemp Use Prohibited

Administrative policy for tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products use in a public place.

City of Blaine parks.

Section 1: Rationale & Parameters

WHEREAS, the City acknowledges that tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products use can be an offensive behavior for users of Blaine parks; and the City believes all adults involved with youth recreation activities in Blaine parks should be role models for youth in promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices; and organized youth sports groups using Blaine park facilities restrict the use of tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products by coaches, sponsors, and parents; and the City Park Advisory Board believes that non-tobacco and non-cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products use by all park users is a preferred and more socially acceptable behavior in Blaine parks, therefore be it resolved that the tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products use policy for Blaine parks shall be as follows:

• Tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products free areas will be designated for the following amenities in City of Blaine parks:
  • All playground areas, attached or separate, and 25 feet from the playground border or stand alone equipment, and includes park benches and other seating within this area.
  • All softball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, football fields and basketball, volleyball, skating, tennis facilities, and 25 feet from facility fencing or in-play areas defined by field markings, and include bleachers and other seating within this area.
  • All park building entrances and 25 feet from the entrances.
  • All park shelter areas and 25 feet from shelter's structure.
  • All trails and other public places.

Section 2: Enforcement

• Conformance shall be generally achieved through voluntary compliance.
• Appropriate signs shall be posted in all Blaine Parks.
• The community, facility users, and staff will be notified about this policy.
• Staff will make periodic observations of recreational facilities to monitor for compliance.
• Any person observed violating this policy by Police, Park Patrol, or Community Service Officers will be asked to properly dispose of said product and/or remove themselves from the tobacco and cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products free areas.

Section 3: Effective Date

This administrative policy is was adopted by the Blaine City Council on November 4, 2010, and updated and effective August 1, 2023, as authorized per Sec. 54-76 of Blaine City Code.