alyssa stevenson

where in atlantic city do you feel most like yourself?
i love the casino. but i'm happiest in new jersey in general -- i've tried elsewhere. i grew up in ocean county and have been coming down to stay overnight since i was a lil babe.

high vs sober -- what actually changes for you?
life has been more bearable high. i am more bearable high.

what changes specifically when you're high here?
if i am high in ac i'm clocked out. high and off the clock is all a good combination to be. i've been a habitual smoker for years. the only time i don't consume is when i am clocked in to help other people figure out what and how they want to consume. i have been clocking out of work and racing down to ac forever. love the easier commute now.

how are you celebrating 420?
420 is a major holiday for me at work. high rollers is having a 420 fest -- sensaMotion will headline the celebrity theater at the claridge. i get to celebrate by managing a full consumption event. i would not have believed you five years ago if you told me i could legally smoke inside while watching live music in my grandpa's favorite casino.

420's always been here but legalization is new -- how does that shift feel to you, actually?
it's crazy. most stoners are like "i'm going to call out of work on 4/20" and i'm like "i can't wait to go to work on 4/20." legalization is still blowing my mind. things have thankfully changed a lot in my lifetime already.

you see people coming from all over now -- what's surprised you about that?
anyone out of state is coming from different state laws -- i am a broken record of cannabis consumption legislation. i really love when people come into the lounge saying they booked a room specifically to check us out. what a compliment. i love that. i am ready to celebrate almost always. i don't need an occasion. being in ac is always a good reason to celebrate in my mind because i am lucky.

what's something people still don't get about it?
a lot of people don't understand why they cannot see or touch the cannabis before purchasing. packaging has to be very simple with few colors in our state. it really varies state to state. this rarely comes up actually -- usually i am explaining to people i cannot serve them any food or drink in the consumption lounge.

ideal atlantic city night, start to finish?
starts with a comp room. a freebie in ac is a true high. i'm checking into a smoking room hopefully with a view. getting high, getting ready, girlie y2k montage to hit up a good meal, show, or game. my nights generally revolve around smoking. i'm very okay with going with the flow. i've had great nights never leaving a hotel room. i feel like atlantic city treats you how you want to be treated.

best place in ac to be a little too high?
slot machine.

worst place?
arrested and/or pulled over.

what are you reaching for right now?
my go-to has always been a grav. i used to fly down the parkway to ac after work with a 2 liter of mountain dew, a going out dress, and a socket. grav cap made, bong assembled asap upon check in. i like smoking flower.

are you a "get things done" high or a "stare at the ceiling" high?
always striving to get stuff done accompanied with a lot of procrastination.

a jersey brand you'll defend like it's your cousin?
i got to work in cultivation at agri-kind so we're related and i love my cousins.

a brand that let you down?
i have some honest reviews. weed is such a funny thing to brand. i just always like to picture don draper as a giant pot leaf whenever i'm taking it a little too seriously marketing wise.

song that hits different when you're stoned in atlantic city?
joe walsh, "in the city."

something in ac that feels almost too real when you're high?
every parking garage is that scene in austin powers with the golf cart at dr. evil's lair.

last perfect moment you had here?
i am very lucky and get a lot of perfect moments. i got to spend my last birthday waking up in a comp room with my family. my bestie took me to see the hook for my birthday. i work in a consumption lounge that has karaoke. i saw someone perfectly perform "man in the mirror."

what's something in ac that feels beautiful and something that feels a little wrecked?
any hint of nostalgia in ac feels very beautiful and it feels very wrecked to me -- people don't always see ac as a desirable destination.

have you ever had a moment here where you felt really aware of the ocean?
i'm a pisces.

best place in ac to be alone for a minute?
a slot machine.

you're a comedian too -- where do you get your comedy kicks around here?
i don't get out much. luckily we have been having comedy open mics in the lounge at high rollers. i still feel very new in town. i have taken a train for two hours to do a five minute set for years. i've also gotten lucky in ac and done a five minute set and won $100 cash in a strip club. all translatable skills.

i used to do a variety show called shut up: an evening with lady stevenson at the saint in asbury park. doing a show like that in ac is the dream. cranky nightgown should be making a debut soon.

are there any local comedians we should be paying attention to?
weird al will be here this summer. for me i should probably say my husband bert williams since he does comedy. every third thursday of the month we do a comedy open mic in the lounge.

does being high ever change how you see something as funny?
i have done comedy drunk, sober, and stoned. everything is always funnier stoned. after taking a few months hiatus of not doing something, usually the biggest change when starting to smoke again is the realization -- oh yeah, shit is funny.
 

 

do you believe in luck?
absolutely.

luckiest moment you've had here?
i won my first teddy bear at the trop. list is endless.

do you think ac runs on luck or something else?
luck and capitalism.

do you think getting high is a moral thing, immoral, or neither?
i have seen every walk of life get high at this point and usually it's been a positive thing. seems less immoral given its negatives are usually innocent compared to drinking alcohol. i forget weed is bad to people.

did you grow up around any ideas about weed like that?
i think i've always just been obsessed with smoking in general. my favorite movie was half baked before i ever smoked weed. i loved the buddy comedy aspect. weed always seemed positive and fun -- like something i wanted to do when i grew up. i was a drug tested athlete until i got mono in high school. i made it to junior year without smoking weed or drinking. cigarettes were very normal back then. weed was always assumed.

how have you seen it change from "don't get caught" to dispensaries

on main roads?
i went from not getting jobs because i couldn't pass a drug test to taking a drug test high and getting the job of a lifetime. in nj i had to pass a background check and get fingerprinted to sell cannabis.

do you think atlantic city has its own kind of morality?
yes. gotta play to win.

have you ever felt judged here or is it more like anything goes?
the only thing i ever feel judged on is the scent of smoking weed. i have offended some elevators for sure.

if you could change one thing about how weed is sold or experienced in new jersey?
nj is the only legal state without homegrow, an option that's important for medical patients.

what does the ocean feel like to you vs the rest of the city?
i'm a pisces.