East Brunswick, NJ Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Section 158-8(L), headed Use of drugs and other Controlled Dangerous Substances, sits under the lead-in: No person in a park shall engage in any of the following activities. It covers four acts: possess, use, sell or distribute. It names marijuana, and it also reaches any drug or pill or other item which is a controlled dangerous substance, as defined by Title 2C of New Jersey Statutes. It was added 9-14-81 by Ord. No. 81-387 and carries a 5-13-85 amendment note for Ord. No. 85-637.

The rule is limited to a park, which § 158-2 defines as any park, play area, natural area, reservation, field, beach, recreation center or other area the Township owns, or uses, and devotes to active or passive recreation or natural resource management.

Smoking rules overlap. Section 158-2 defines smoking as the burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked. Section 158-3(F) prohibits smoking in any municipal park and playground except in areas specifically designated by the Township, with a penalty of $50 plus costs for a first offense and $100 plus costs for a second, and a third or subsequent offense handled under § 158-12. Section 158-13.1, added 3-18-13 by Ord. No. 13-10, prohibits smoking on all public land except designated areas, and public streets and highways, including abutting sidewalks, are not public land for that section.

The Township also maps drug-free zones. Section 158-20 adopts a Drug-Free Public Park and Public Building Zone Map recording the areas on or within 500 feet of Township parks and public buildings, and § 158-15 adopts a school-zone map for areas on or within 1,000 feet of school property. Under §§ 158-19 and 158-23 the maps are intended as evidence in prosecutions under the criminal laws of the State of New Jersey.