Posted on 01/12/2014 6:33:12 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Admit it… when Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, some of you thought that the entire state had taken leave of its senses and the population was already well on its way to sinking into a Cheetos filled haze of confusion. But apparently there are still some sane – or at least somewhat less stoned – heads doing business out there. A bill is under consideration which would prevent make it somewhat more difficult to use cash from food stamps cards to buy pot. (You mean they can do that?) The details from Townhall.
A bill proposed this week by several Republicans would add marijuana dispensaries to liquor stores, gun shops and casinos as places where recipients of public assistance payments and food stamps can’t use their electronic benefits cards to access cash.
There haven’t been any reports of public EBT cards being used at marijuana dispensaries. But lawmakers say pot shops should be added to the law to make clear it’s not legal.
“We need this bill, if for nothing else, as a statement,” said Rep. Jared Wright, R-Grand Junction.
“We shouldn’t be enabling anyone to buy a substance that is banned under federal law. It’s not a good use of taxpayer money,” he said.
Of course, as Daniel Doherty points out, it’s not exactly a fool proof plan.
Presumably, EBT card recipients could still take out cash elsewhere — and then go and buy pot. (I hope I’m not giving anyone any ideas). But at least this kind of a law would prohibit them from flagrantly ripping off taxpayers, by making it illegal to withdraw government cash inside marijuana dispensaries.
That’s got to count for something, no?
We don’t want to just dismiss this plan out of hand and throw the baby out with the bong water here, guys. Okay, so in theory the pot smoker could grab some cash at the Piggly Wiggly and then head on down to Ye Olde Pot Shoppe, but consider the sequential thinking and planning that would be required to pull that off. Once they have the cash in hand they would probably have to walk past the inevitable snack food impulse purchase racks which stores always put near the checkout counters. The rows of Ho-Hos, Little Debby’s and (non-medicinal) brownies would probably be too much to resist. Before you know it the cash is gone and then they have to start the process all over again.
Ah, Colorado. If nothing else, you’ll provide a huge boon to bored bloggers for years to come. And for that, America thanks you.
Use the cash to buy pot; use the EBT to buy munchies.
just wait until organized crime or the drug cartels move in to reclaim their trade.
Somebody will sue for unfairness especially if it is for medical purposes. WATCH! Our country is out of control.
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Why would the pot dispensaries have an EBT terminal/software in the first place? They certainly won’t here, in Washington State. In fact, it appears the shops will not even be accepting credit or debit cards or checks.
That's kind of smart, since doing so would be illegal according to Federal law.
Not that Obama and Holder haven't thought about ignoring it. But for now, not legal.
Buying Booze and Beer is OK??????????????????????
this will increase crime....there will be more robberies of weed stores and of weed customers...and since weed bought legit is more expensive, more afflicted will be out to steal money or other assets to buy the weed....
most people in this world never think beyond their own fleeting 15" future....
This does not matter.
What’s important is that they will not be able to buy incandescent light bulbs with their EBT cards.
America - what a country?
I don't smoke pot, but reading the article, I became really hungry for cheetos..
Banks in Washington State have quit doing business with around 20 of the medical marijuana dispensaries after it was found that the businesses were using back channels/laundering to move money in and out.
Oh my, wait till Eric Holder hears about this!!!!!
Not legal for cocaine or meth either.
Is Washington’s law similar to Colorado’s?
Yes, but I believe it is more restrictive (no personal growing and other limitations).
To a Libertarian, what’s better than smoking dope?
Smoking FREE dope, that’s where it’s at!
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