I just thought it was time to update the ordinance so that families at a beach or a park or a sporting event aren’t subjected to people smoking.”

Town Council member Keith Hamilton

PORTSMOUTH — Now that recreational cannabis is legal in Rhode Island, and can be easily purchased by anyone over 21 at Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center here in town, the Town Council has moved to prohibit the use of all cannabis products at town-owned recreational facilities.

Following a public hearing during which no residents offered any comment, the council voted unanimously Monday night to amend Chapter 364 of the Town Code, which concerns tobacco products.

“Smoking, vaping, and other uses of tobacco and cannabis products are hereby prohibited at any beach, park, athletic or recreational facility owned by the Town of Portsmouth,” now reads the ordinance, which took effect immediately.

Council members first discussed the matter on Dec. 12, when they voted to advertise for the public hearing on a request by council member Keith Hamilton.

“Once cannabis became legal, and also with the proliferation of vaping devices, I just thought it was time to update the ordinance so that families at a beach or a park or a sporting event aren’t subjected to people smoking,” Hamilton said on Monday. “Granted, it’s probably not going to stop those people who are still going to do it, but at least there’s something behind it that the police department can fall back on.”

Council member J. Mark Ryan reminded colleagues that at the Dec. 12 meeting, Police Chief Brian Peters said an updated ordinance would simplify enforcement. “The police wouldn’t have to go up to the person, determine what product they were burning, and then decide whether or not (any enforcement is necessary). It streamlines enforcement of the statute,” he said.

The use of edibles such as gummies, chocolates or lozenges, or how the use of those products would be detected, was not discussed.

No members of the public chose to speak for or against the proposed ordinance amendment either in person or online, and the entire matter took just three minutes. Only two people were in attendance at Town Hall during the 26-minute meeting.