Cannabis Shops Outpace Casinos in Atlantic City

Atlantic City's gambling landscape is evolving, with cannabis dispensaries now outnumbering casinos in this iconic resort town. This shift is reshaping the local economy and tourism offerings.

Key Takeaways:

• Atlantic City now hosts at least 25 cannabis shops compared to nine casinos
• The cannabis boom is diversifying the city's economy and tourism
• Critics argue legalization benefits are unevenly distributed

Atlantic City, long synonymous with dice rolls and slot machines, is rolling the dice on a new venture: legal marijuana. Since New Jersey voters approved recreational cannabis in 2020, the seaside resort has fully embraced the green rush, allowing a wide range of cannabis businesses to operate alongside its famed casinos.

The city's approach to licensing, requiring both local and state approval, has made it a hotspot for cannabis entrepreneurs. However, this rapid growth is primarily driven by multi-state operators with significant financial resources, leaving smaller players struggling to compete in a market with high entry barriers.

For communities historically impacted by marijuana prohibition, the legalization wave has been a mixed bag. While some equity programs aim to prioritize applications from these groups, critics argue these efforts fall short, with corporate interests dominating the market. This dynamic has led to concerns that legalization is benefiting wealthy investors more than those harmed by past drug policies.

The rise of legal dispensaries has also disrupted the underground market, shifting profits from street-level dealers to large corporations. While this offers safer products and legal convenience, it's exacerbating wealth inequality, with critics describing it as a transfer of wealth from poorer communities to the richest one percent.

As Atlantic City's cannabis sector grows, advocates for equity are pushing for reforms. They're calling for lower barriers to entry and reinvestment in impacted communities to ensure legalization delivers on its promises of justice and opportunity. The outcome of this green gamble remains uncertain, much like the roll of dice on the city's famous craps tables.

For now, Atlantic City's bet on cannabis represents a new chapter in its storied history of risk and reward. Whether this wager pays off in terms of economic revitalization and social equity is a game still in play, watched closely by both industry insiders and community stakeholders.