Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
New Jersey did quite well last week in oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in its challenge to a 1992 federal law that bans sports betting.
This was in keeping with our state's long and proud tradition when it comes to fighting federal laws that impinge on the rights of the citizenry.
The most shining example came in 1930, when a federal judge sitting in Newark declared that the 18th Amendment, which prohibited booze, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court reversed the opinion of the esteemed William Clark. But his thinking was in tune with the mood of the people. Three years later, the amendment was repealed and the "Noble Experiment" was over.
That was good news for the drinking public, but bad news for the same city that will get sports betting if New Jersey ends up winning the current challenge.
Throughout the 13 horrible years of Prohibition, Atlantic City officials simply ignored it. The few federal agents that made it into town were easily spotted and appropriate alerts went out.
But once booze flowed freely, there was no longer an incentive to travel to A.C. Its economy took a bigger dive than those horses that used to jump off the Steel Pier.
I got to thinking about that when I read the Star-Ledger's front-page article last week on the many complications of marijuana legalization, which has been endorsed by Gov.-elect Phil Murphy.
I've spoken to the sponsors of legalization. I'm sure they mean well. But I'm not sure they are up to the challenge of suddenly legalizing marijuana in every part of the most densely populated state in the union.
I've got a better idea: Start off by legalizing pot in Atlantic City. Then give it a few years to see how it works.
I've seen others making the same argument. But as a lifetime student of how to fleece tourists at the Jersey Shore, let me add this wrinkle: Require every pot purchaser to show proof that he or she has rented a hotel room for the night.
The ostensible purpose would be to keep them from driving while impaired. The real goal would be to trap them in town for the night to spend money.
This would capitalize on what has been the biggest negative in other states that have legalized marijuana: Pot tourism. I learned that a couple years ago when I spoke to people in Colorado, which legalized pot statewide via referendum.
One former Bergen County resident who moved there told me the locals were upset at the sketchy characters who showed up from other states looking to score pot.
"The people who have come here for the pot are different people from what we used to get," she said. "They were more the outdoorsy type who like hiking and biking. Now it's a nightmare."
That wouldn't be a problem in A.C. Gambling already draws sketchy characters. The potheads would probably be an improvement.
Better yet, the city would get a cut of the sales tax on the pot. That wouldn't be the case with sports betting. Only casinos and racetracks could cash in.
I ran this by my resident consultant on all matters A.C.-related, Seth Grossman. Grossman is an attorney who heads "Liberty and Prosperity," a citizen's group named after two things that exist on our state flag but not, alas, in our state. He thought it was a great idea.
"Instead of marijuana being the gateway drug, Atlantic City will be the gateway drug," Grossman said.
Exactly. I decided I'd call the prime sponsor of legalization and see what he thought of my brilliant idea. Not much, said state Sen. Nick Scutari.
"I'm not doing that," the Union County Democrat said.
Scutari said he's going ahead with his plan to open pot dispensaries all over the state. If they were confined to Atlantic City, he argued, many residents would have to drive two hours to get to one.
But that's the point. If you're too lazy to drive two hours to buy marijuana, then the last thing you need is more marijuana.
I realize the legislators are not going to do this. They seem determined to send to the governor a bill that will legalize pot statewide in a year or so.
Well, good luck. But before you go ahead, I urge you to consider how well Atlantic City handled booze at a time when it was outlawed by the federal government, as pot is now. And I urge you to ponder this quote from the great H.L. Mencken, who survived Prohibition.
"Sin is a dangerous toy in the hands of the virtuous. It should be left to the congenitally sinful, who know when to play with it and when to leave it alone."
Don't say I didn't warn you.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Phil Murphy's marijuana legalization: Do A.C. first | Mulshine | NJ.com
Author: Paul Mulshine
Contact: Contact Us information, user services and more on NJ.com | NJ.com Community -
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: New Jersey Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - NJ.com
This was in keeping with our state's long and proud tradition when it comes to fighting federal laws that impinge on the rights of the citizenry.
The most shining example came in 1930, when a federal judge sitting in Newark declared that the 18th Amendment, which prohibited booze, was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court reversed the opinion of the esteemed William Clark. But his thinking was in tune with the mood of the people. Three years later, the amendment was repealed and the "Noble Experiment" was over.
That was good news for the drinking public, but bad news for the same city that will get sports betting if New Jersey ends up winning the current challenge.
Throughout the 13 horrible years of Prohibition, Atlantic City officials simply ignored it. The few federal agents that made it into town were easily spotted and appropriate alerts went out.
But once booze flowed freely, there was no longer an incentive to travel to A.C. Its economy took a bigger dive than those horses that used to jump off the Steel Pier.
I got to thinking about that when I read the Star-Ledger's front-page article last week on the many complications of marijuana legalization, which has been endorsed by Gov.-elect Phil Murphy.
I've spoken to the sponsors of legalization. I'm sure they mean well. But I'm not sure they are up to the challenge of suddenly legalizing marijuana in every part of the most densely populated state in the union.
I've got a better idea: Start off by legalizing pot in Atlantic City. Then give it a few years to see how it works.
I've seen others making the same argument. But as a lifetime student of how to fleece tourists at the Jersey Shore, let me add this wrinkle: Require every pot purchaser to show proof that he or she has rented a hotel room for the night.
The ostensible purpose would be to keep them from driving while impaired. The real goal would be to trap them in town for the night to spend money.
This would capitalize on what has been the biggest negative in other states that have legalized marijuana: Pot tourism. I learned that a couple years ago when I spoke to people in Colorado, which legalized pot statewide via referendum.
One former Bergen County resident who moved there told me the locals were upset at the sketchy characters who showed up from other states looking to score pot.
"The people who have come here for the pot are different people from what we used to get," she said. "They were more the outdoorsy type who like hiking and biking. Now it's a nightmare."
That wouldn't be a problem in A.C. Gambling already draws sketchy characters. The potheads would probably be an improvement.
Better yet, the city would get a cut of the sales tax on the pot. That wouldn't be the case with sports betting. Only casinos and racetracks could cash in.
I ran this by my resident consultant on all matters A.C.-related, Seth Grossman. Grossman is an attorney who heads "Liberty and Prosperity," a citizen's group named after two things that exist on our state flag but not, alas, in our state. He thought it was a great idea.
"Instead of marijuana being the gateway drug, Atlantic City will be the gateway drug," Grossman said.
Exactly. I decided I'd call the prime sponsor of legalization and see what he thought of my brilliant idea. Not much, said state Sen. Nick Scutari.
"I'm not doing that," the Union County Democrat said.
Scutari said he's going ahead with his plan to open pot dispensaries all over the state. If they were confined to Atlantic City, he argued, many residents would have to drive two hours to get to one.
But that's the point. If you're too lazy to drive two hours to buy marijuana, then the last thing you need is more marijuana.
I realize the legislators are not going to do this. They seem determined to send to the governor a bill that will legalize pot statewide in a year or so.
Well, good luck. But before you go ahead, I urge you to consider how well Atlantic City handled booze at a time when it was outlawed by the federal government, as pot is now. And I urge you to ponder this quote from the great H.L. Mencken, who survived Prohibition.
"Sin is a dangerous toy in the hands of the virtuous. It should be left to the congenitally sinful, who know when to play with it and when to leave it alone."
Don't say I didn't warn you.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Phil Murphy's marijuana legalization: Do A.C. first | Mulshine | NJ.com
Author: Paul Mulshine
Contact: Contact Us information, user services and more on NJ.com | NJ.com Community -
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: New Jersey Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - NJ.com
