Bristol, CT Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Section 16-3 of the Bristol Code of Ordinances, rewritten in its entirety by a February 11, 2020 ordinance and amended February 8, 2022, prohibits, at all times, smoking or using any tobacco or cannabis product in any form while at a city park or recreational property. Sec. 16-7 defines 'cannabis' by cross-reference to the marijuana definition in section 21a-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes and defines 'cannabis product' as cannabis in concentrate form or any product containing cannabis intended for use or consumption, so the ban reaches vaping, edibles and smoked cannabis equally with cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, chew, snus and snuff under the same section's tobacco definition.

'Park or recreational property' is defined broadly to include sports fields, pocket parks, parking lots, pools, playgrounds, bike and walking paths, dog parks, bleachers, gardens, tennis courts, trails and any building located on park or recreation property, so the prohibition follows a person from the ballfield to the parking lot. Sec. 16-4 requires the city to post signs at each site where smoking and tobacco or cannabis use is banned. Enforcement is assigned under Sec. 16-5 to Bristol Police Department officers and to the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department's Park Ambassadors, both charged with informing a violator and taking enforcement action once a violation occurs, and Sec.

16-6 lets an officer issue a citation under the Code's general procedure in Sec. 1-11. Sec. 16-8 fixes the penalty for any Chapter 16 violation, including this one, at a ninety-dollar infraction.