A Fox31 Denver investigation recently revealed that thousands of dollars have been pulled out of ATMs in Colorado using Electronic Benefit Transfer cards - used for accessing welfare benefits - to purchase marijuana.
Federal welfare programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are meant to provide subsidies for food and other basic living essentials to the nation's neediest families. Unfortunately, there are always unscrupulous people looking for ways to game the system.
The revelation that federal welfare benefits are being used to purchase marijuana makes an update to federal law necessary, as federal law does not presently prevent this. Current federal law prohibits TANF benefits from being used for purchases or ATM withdrawals in strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos; it also prohibits SNAP benefits from being used to purchase alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets. Nothing, however, prevents these programs from being used to buy marijuana.
That's why I introduced the No Welfare for Weed Act (HR4142). This bipartisan legislation would prohibit the purchase of marijuana products using TANF and SNAP benefits. Specifically, my legislation will add all marijuana dispensaries nationwide to the list of businesses prohibited from accepting welfare benefits as payment. It will also add marijuana products - including edible marijuana products - to the list of prohibited items for purchase. It is endorsed by the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America and Heritage Action.
Regardless of your feelings on States' Rights, medical marijuana or recreational marijuana, people should not be able to get high using hard-earned taxpayer money. The sole purpose of this bill is to prohibit marijuana from being purchased with federal welfare benefits. Taxpayers expect and deserve a lean, efficient government.
Accordingly, I will do everything in my power to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse whenever possible, including preventing federal welfare benefits from being used to purchase weed.
Rep. Paul Gosar is an Arizona Republican and member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Click HERE to view this op-ed in the Prescott Daily Courier.
