Duluth, Minnesota bans smoking weed in public parks

Officials in Duluth, Minnesota, this week passed an ordinance banning smoking marijuana in all city parks.

The enactment of the measure comes about two weeks after new state law went into effect on August 1 allowing recreational use of cannabis by adults 21 and older.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the newly passed ordinance “also bans marijuana vaping and extends the smoking ban to all city parks,” although consumption of “cannabis in other forms, such as gummy bears, is still permitted.”

Previously, according to the MPR, smoking weed was “only banned in select parks.”

The ordinance was passed Monday by the Duluth City Council by a vote of 8-1.

“I want to protect clean air for the people in our public spaces and our parks,” said Roz Randorf, vice president of the Duluth City Council, as quoted by Minnesota Public Radio. “When you smoke in public, in parks and indoors, we really have to think about the people around us who may have health issues, pre-existing conditions, our youth.”

The only council member who voted against the proposal was Azrin Awal.

“We heard it [from] Voters say they are concerned about smoking on sidewalks. But if they are unable to enter a public facility, if they are not allowed to smoke in their apartment building or public building, and if they cannot go to a public park, only our sidewalks and streets remain…where there is more traffic.” , Awal said at Monday’s meeting, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

According to the MPR, the city council “has tabled an amendment to lower the $300 maximum fine for violators of the ban, but appeared close to agreeing on a new fee structure.”

Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize adult-use cannabis in May when Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law.

“We’ve known for too long that banning cannabis use hasn’t worked. By legalizing adult-use cannabis, we are expanding our economy, creating jobs and regulating the industry to keep Minnesotans safe,” said Walz after the law was signed. “Legalizing cannabis for adults and having cannabis convictions overturned or reconsidered will empower communities. This is the right move for Minnesota.”

Walz Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan echoed this sentiment.

“Legalizing adult-use cannabis is about keeping our communities safe, advancing justice for Minnesota residents, and investing in a strong economic future,” Flanagan said. “The ban on cannabis use has not worked and has disproportionately harmed communities of color across the state. By overturning nonviolent cannabis convictions, we are removing the barriers preventing thousands of Minnesotans from fully returning to work, their communities and their lives. This is how we make communities safer.”

Although the law officially went into effect on August 1 and allows adults to use and possess cannabis, sales are not expected to begin until next year.

Analysis by nationally recognized cannabis company Vicente LLP found that recreational cannabis sales in Minnesota could generate as much as $1.5 billion annually by 2029.

“Minnesota is expected to attract a significant portion of tourist traffic from neighboring states such as Iowa and North Dakota as consumers venture into purchasing Minnesota cannabis products,” said Brian Vicente, one of the company’s founding partners.

New York, which legalized recreational cannabis for adults in 2022, also passed a measure banning smoking marijuana in state parks and beaches.

“Smoking is a dangerous habit that affects not only the smoker but everyone around them, including families and children who enjoy our state’s great public spaces,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said after passing the law put into effect in the summer. “I’m proud to be signing this law, which protects the health of New Yorkers and helps reduce litter in public parks and beaches across the state.”