PEORIA, Ill. — The Peoria Park District Board of Trustees discussed changes at the board meeting Wednesday night to the Conduct Ordinance of the Park District in preparation for legalized marijuana on Jan. 1.
Currently, the Conduct Ordinance states that “no person shall use, possess or be under the influence . . . of cannabis as defined in the ‘Cannabis Control Act.'”
The suggested amendments to the Ordinance involves prohibiting the use of cannabis on park property. In addition, the Park District would change the Ordinance to prohibit the possession of cannabis in select situations.
The park district, however, is not allowed to completely prohibit possession of cannabis like they can with alcohol, said Board President Robert Johnson.
For example, possessing cannabis in a school bus, on the grounds of a school or in any correctional facility would be prohibited.
Johnson also gave some reasons why the policies are being changed.
“It will eliminate some of those gray areas,” Johnson said. “As a Park District we want to make sure our constituents are safe and that they feel comfortable in our parks.”
Other changes include prohibiting smoking cannabis in any place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act; operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while using or under the influence of cannabis; and facilitating the use of cannabis by any person who is not allowed to use cannabis.
The Park District will vote on the amendments to the Conduct Ordinance at the Dec. 11 Board of Trustees meeting.
