Can Pot Smoking Save Atlantic City?
ATLANTIC CITY (CBS/AP) -- A New Jersey lawmaker says he wants voters to decide if recreational marijuana should be legal in Atlantic City.
Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora says it could mean a way out of the city's financial mess.
He calls the bill "promoting opportunities for tomorrow," or POT for short.
Gusciora wrote in the bill that criminalization of marijuana "is archaic and has had a disparate, harmful impact on minority communities" throughout New Jersey, including Atlantic City.
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"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," he wrote.
But City Council President Marty Small said drugs are not the way to balance the city's books.
"Though we appreciate the Assemblyman's efforts to create additional revenue streams for Atlantic City, I can't support promoting drug use," said Small, a Democrat.
Republican Mayor Don Guardian declined comment.
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The move would put the question on the November ballot, and it calls for a 20 percent tax.
Marijuana in Atlantic City would be regulated by the state Department of Law and Public Safety. Half the tax money collected would be deposited in Atlantic City's general fund; 30 percent would fund state transportation projects; 10 percent would be deposited into an anti-drug law enforcement fund; and 10 percent would go to women's health, family planning, and similar programs.
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