The public eye minor pocketing grass (9)
I believe the answer is:
spotlight
'the public eye' is the definition.
('spotlight' can be a synonym of 'public eye')
'minor pocketing grass' is the wordplay.
'minor' becomes 'slight' (I've seen this before**).
'pocketing' is an insertion indicator.
'grass' becomes 'pot' (cannabis).
'slight' placed around 'pot' is 'SPOTLIGHT'.
(Other definitions for spotlight that I've seen before include "Where attention is focused" , "It illuminates a small area" , "Beam directed on small area or on stage performer" , "Direct attention to" , "Illumination focused on small area" .)