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Pot Shop ATMs At Center Of Welfare Cash Withdrawal Legislation

DENVER (CBS4)- Many retail pot shops have ATMs located inside for convenience of customers who need cash but don't want to leave the store to get it. Congress is working on a bill that would prevent welfare recipients from withdrawing cash and spending it at marijuana dispensaries.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the so called No Welfare For Weed bill. The measure will head to the U.S. Senate for debate and approval before it goes to the president for his signature.

Legal Sale Of Recreational Marijuana Begins In Colorado money
(credit; CBS)

If passed the law would ban using welfare debit cards to withdraw cash and make purchases at retail pot shops.

"I feel that would be fine, that would leave the option to go next door and use the ATM where they sell beer," said Starbuds Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary manager Brett Ahroon.

Mason Tvert, one of the key players in legalizing marijuana in Colorado, feels the attention of Congress is misplaced.

"When it comes to lower income people, the possibility of accessing medicine there is quite possible," said Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Tvert.

He believes marijuana should be treated like alcohol but welfare debit cards are already banned from use in liquor stores.

Federal law already bans the use of welfare debit cards at liquor stores, casinos and strip clubs.

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