Baltimore City Power Rankings

1 Pot

Though the bill to legalize recreational weed, introduced by Democrat Curt Anderson from Baltimore City’s 43rd district, probably won’t pass, at least someone had enough bowls, er, balls to introduce it. And now that the governor, on a legislative roll, has withdrawn his opposition, medical marijuana may be a reality. BCPR’s head is spinning thinking of what those script shops could do for our ad revenues. And come to think of it, pot is a great cure for dizziness! Doctor!

2 Homeless Advocates

The battle of Camp 83—the homeless encampment that’s been under I-83 downtown for several years—ended positively for most involved, thanks to several advocacy groups and the nonprofit Belvedere Assisted Living, which provided housing for the residents facing eviction. The city even got permission from the resettled residents of the encampment before clearing it. Maybe the city and nonprofits could work together to help the rest of the homeless population without all the threats.

3 Costco

The bulk grocer’s CEO, Craig Jelinek, chimed in on Maryland’s debate over the minimum wage, debunking the Republican myth that raising it from the paltry $7.25 is a job killer: “We pay a starting hourly wage of $11.50 in all states where we do business, and we are still able to keep our overhead costs low.” And that extra $4.25 an hour adds up to, like, 50 cases of Cheerios a month.

4 National Bohemian

It’s not brewed anywhere near Baltimore anymore and it kinda tastes like water, but 90 percent of the Pabst-owned swill is sold here in Charm City, so the company was both wise and charitable in issuing a can commemorating the life of Scunny McCusker, the Canton fixture, Boh booster, and owner of Nacho Mama’s and Mama’s on the Half Shell who died last year, with a portion of the proceeds going to Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, McCusker’s favorite charity. Classy, Boh.

5 Weatherpeople