Pot, Poker, and Priorities: When a Community Bets Against Its Own Future
There’s a mind-boggling trend happening in some communities: a baffling choice to legalize marijuana and gambling while rejecting or indefinitely delaying infrastructure projects like cruise ship facilities that could bring sustainable, long-term economic growth. One has to pause and ask — where did this type of thought process even come from? How did the priorities get so inverted? Let’s call it what it is: a bet on instant gratification over generational progress. The Economics of Escapism Marijuana and gambling are often marketed as economic stimulants — easy tax revenue, job creation, tourism magnets. But these industries primarily cater to escapism . They thrive not on productivity but on indulgence. And while there may be short-term wins in licensing fees or increased consumer spending, they are also tied to social costs: addiction, crime, healthcare strain, and a distracted workforce. Now, compare that to a cruise facility — a gateway to tourism dollars, entrepreneurship, cu...
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