Colorado considers ban on welfare cards at pot shops

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Colorado considers ban on welfare cards at pot shops
By KRISTEN WYATT, Associated Press | January 30, 2015 | Updated: January 30, 2015 6:28pm

DENVER (AP) — Welfare money or food stamps for marijuana? It's an urban legend that won't go away in Colorado, and state lawmakers this year are poised to pass a law clarifying that public benefit cards can't be used at dispensary ATMs.

A bill facing its first hearing next week in the state Senate would add marijuana businesses and strip clubs to the list of Colorado businesses where electronic benefits cards — called EBTs — can't be used to withdraw cash. Liquor stores, casinos and gun shops already have such limitations.

Republican Sen. Vicki Marble said marijuana dispensaries need to be added to avoid possible federal intervention if there's evidence of public benefits being spent on pot.

"We stand to lose a lot if we don't show we are trying" to prevent tax money for pot, Marble said.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Colorado-likely-to-ban-Welfare-cards-at-pot-shops-6051458.php

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[Journeyman]

1. Other than it sounds like a completely bogus concern, it would be a legitimate issue. . .

if there were any truth to it.

I guess, when you have to build a reputation on fantasy fears, it's best to pick non-issues that would appeal to the greatest number, were they in fact a legitimate controversy.

[Downwinder]

2. You can get cash with an EBT card?

Obvious Colorado state lawmakers have never been on SNAP.

Either that or they are admitting they are behind Texas.

What an awful place to be.

[FrodosPet]

4. If you are receiving cash benefits, it comes on the same EBT card

At least it does in Michigan.

https://www.ebt.acs-inc.com/miebtclient/index.jsp#

Cash Account

. You can use your Michigan Bridge Card at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to get cash, or a retailer Point of Sale (POS) terminal to perform a cash purchase. Some retailer POS terminals will allow you to receive cash back.

. You can use an ATM 4 times a month for free. After the 4th ATM cash withdrawal in a month, you will be charged a transaction fee of $0.85 each time you use an ATM. If you do not have enough in your account to pay for the fee, the transaction will be denied.

. Some ATMs and retailer POS terminals may charge a surcharge. A surcharge is different than a transaction fee and may or may not be charged by a bank or retailer each time you use your card to get your cash benefits. If you do not want to pay the surcharge, find a location that does not charge the surcharge to get your cash benefits.

[FrodosPet]

5. Yep, cash on EBT in Colorado

http://www.ebtcard.net/state/colorado.html

The Colorado EBT Card is called the Colorado Quest Card. Each month SNAP food stamp and cash assistance benefits are deposited to your Colorado Quest Card.

[Downwinder]

7. I stand corrected. I don't think Texas gives cash assistance.

I couldn't even get toilet paper with my card.

For ten dollars a month it was not worth the hassle.

[Codeine]

10. In California cash benefits go on the same card as food stamps.

Folks come in to take money off their cards at my store all the time.

[Kalidurga]

3. Idiots

if you can withdraw cash then you can use the money for pot, duh.

[FrodosPet]

6. Weed, liquor, strippers, gambling...

It's just a bit more inconvenient if you cannot use them at the casino, strip club, or (now) reefer store.

Source that people are spending cash assistance money on "vices":

[Kalidurga]

8. Most the people I know that have a fondness for vices aren't even fazed by such things

They always have money for what ever they like or are addicted to. Money for other neccesities however might be harder to come by.

[Johnny Rash]

9. The best Catch-22 a Corrupt Social System has to offer to those who are fallen through the CRACKS.

It is almost as bad as Forcing the POOR to get a JOB, when there is NONE to be found.