By Stephen Weiss
There is a lot of noise lately in Atlantic City about cannabis, specifically the expansion of the green zone to include Albany Avenue.
Most of the noise is coming from opposition to the expansion using “reefer madness” propaganda to sway public opinion, despite City Council voting it in three times. It was approved once in a resolution for AC Leef to open a retail cannabis store at 470 North Albany Ave., and twice to expand the green zone.
Opponents have succeeded in forcing a ballot question in November calling for the repeal of the expansion of the green zone to Albany Avenue. But city officials, including Councilman Bruce Weekes, Jr., believe that in the end the opposition does not have enough support to change the rule and is only delaying the opening date for Atlantic City and 6th Ward resident Christopher Aponte by months, leaving him sitting and waiting when he could be opening his new Albany Avenue dispensary and starting his journey toward making the city he resides in a better place to live.
I can point out the discrepancies in the opposition’s information about AC Leef’s proximity to a school or how the retail location is being misrepresented as a cannabis lounge, but instead I would like to tell you why I think cannabis is not as depicted by those against this plant, and how it will be a shining light in the city I love.
I grew up in Atlantic City and spent nearly the entirety of my 51 years here. I love my city. My company, NorStep, allows me the privilege of adding to the city’s amazing entertainment experience.
Since the legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis, we have been leading the way to ensuring Atlantic City’s title as the East Coast hub for cannabis and 420 lifestyle events.
I believe cannabis is a safe alternative to alcohol when it comes to the indulgences of the entertainment industry and at the very least, deserves the same considerations when discussing these matters.
On Nov. 3 of 2023, we the people of the great state of New Jersey, voted by a historical margin to legalize adult the use of cannabis. Nearly 70 percent of the state said “yes” to pot.
Immediately Atlantic City was poised to be a leader in the industry. Led by
City Hall’s Kashawn McKinley, Atlantic City has set out to become one of the East Coast’s most exciting hubs for cannabis culture.
With a decade of event production behind us, we were at the side of “Kash,” as McKinley is known in the city, as he constructed the framework that will become the cannabis industry of Atlantic City.
We have hosted five 420 friendly events in the city. Each event overall had 300 or more people at them with last year’s April 20 event drawing 1,200 peaceful cannabis smokers.
Police and EMS on standby for that event found themselves mostly just watching attendees enjoy this legal-to-consume plant. We have had zero EMS or police reports in any of the events. And all five events worked with local charities to raise money and awareness.
Now NorStep is working with many of the dispensaries either open, set to open, or in the building process in Atlantic City, to not only bring exciting 420 lifestyle events to Atlantic City, but to help create a calendar of community events both as individual dispensaries and as a network of like-minded business owners looking to give back to Atlantic City through cannabis.
I’ve worked with AC Leef, the dispensary in the middle of the Albany Avenue debate, on their community outreach initiative. There are plans to host events at their location to give back to the residents in the 5th and 6th wards, as well as working with NorStep and our community of cannabis businesses to better Atlantic City as a whole.
I’ve had positive conversations with the owners of Sunny Tien, now open in the 5th Ward, and Slamn Sammy’s, Honeybuzz, and AC Leef, set to open in the near future, on how we can work together to build up our community through events, workshops, and educational seminars. More are expected to join our 420 family.
So as we sit patiently by as this debate rages on, we will continue to do our part to better Atlantic City. And when the dust settles and the correct decision is finally confirmed, AC Leef and all the dispensaries in the NorStep family will be here doing good for all the people of the greatest city on earth.
We were once the World’s Playground, and with the help of a lot of friends, we will lead the way back there.
