Grass Island Floated As Potential Designated Area For Cannabis Use In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Should Greenwich regulate the public use of cannabis, it must designate a location where public consumption is allowed, according to the state statute in place.

Not ironically during Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting, Grass Island, the peninsula that extends into the harbor in downtown Greenwich which is home to the town's dog park, was floated as a possible spot for smokers.

Capt. Eric Scorca of the Greenwich Police Department told the board that an area on Grass Island could be a fit because it is secluded and both the entrance and exit are one way. He said the location was thought of by GPD Chief James Heavey and command staff.

"There's some space over there and it's not really residential per se," Scorca said. "If there was a single parking space designated, we could absolutely regulate, patrol wise, one way in and one way out, and monitor it on a frequent basis, and it really wouldn't be in an area where there'd be a lot of foot traffic and where residents would complain. A lot of times residents complain about the smell, because it smells a lot different than a cigarette."

The board first discussed the public use of cannabis two weeks ago as it sought clarity on where smokers can light up.

Town attorney Barbara Schellenberg conducted research, and gave an update to the board on Thursday.

She explained that because Greenwich has a population over 50,000, if the town votes to regulate public use of cannabis, it must identify a spot where public consumption is allowed. The town could then set fines for violations by individuals up to $50.

Schellenberg said Milford has designated an area on a city sidewalk for smokers.

Most towns in the state with large populations have not made any decision on regulating public use, while some have decided not to impose regulations at all, Schelenberg said. Other towns are in the process of deciding what to do, like Greenwich.

If Greenwich itself doesn't regulate where people can smoke or vape cannabis, there are regulations already in place under the Clean Air Act, Schellenberg added.

"Wherever smoking of tobacco would not be allowed in public, automatically the smoking of cannabis is not allowed either," she said.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said he was "not comfortable" with making a decision yet, and wanted more guidance on what other towns are doing and what the state legislature says.

He said he has heard from law enforcement that officers are concerned about policing cannabis use, since the signs of impairment are different than alcohol.

"I think the legislature jumped a little too fast again on this one. I'm a little nervous personally about designating a spot when we have so much concern from our law enforcement professionals on this. I would go slow" Camillo said. "But If we don't regulate... I wouldn't want to go down that road, obviously."

Schellenberg said Heavey has expressed concerns to her personally about cannabis use.

Camillo said he'd like to see how Milford's plan works, and that any site in Greenwich should be monitored by police.

He noted that residents in the Grass Island area didn't react favorably to the dog park proposal several years ago, but the town made sure none of their concerns came to fruition when the park was ultimately built.

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, who originally brought forward the topic of cannabis use two weeks ago, said she was interested in restricting public consumption.

She said it's been suggested to her that the designated site be in front of the Public Safety Complex on Bruce Place, so it could be easily watched.

"By designating an area for public use, it's not like we are somehow encouraging or allowing something that wouldn't otherwise happen," she said.

Schellenberg said there is no deadline or time limit for the town to come up with a decision.