David McKee

We’ve come a long way from the days of Reefer Madness. Latest case in point: Atlantic City, where Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D) is pushing recreational “tea” as a cure to the city’s penurious condition. Weed would be legalized on the Boardwalk and taxed 20%. Half of that amount would go to alleviating Atlantic City’s fiscal problems, another 30% would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure, and the remainder would be split between anti-drug enforcement and women’s health. Gusciora’s introduced legislation called “Promoting Opportunities for Tomorrow” (POT, geddit?), arguing that prosecuting marijuana offenses “is archaic and has had a disparate, harmful impact on minority communities … A well-designed and heavily regulated marijuana industry would move Atlantic City’s economy into the 21st century and provide extreme economic benefits to a new generation of Atlantic City residents and business interests, including existing hotels and casinos.” (You can see the casinos installing enclosed, pot-smoking lounges even as we speak, can’t you?)

Gusciora’s idea doesn’t appeal to all his fellow Democrats. “Though we appreciate the Assemblyman’s efforts to Continue reading →