If you’re about ready to refill your supply of medical marijuana, you might want to stop by an ATM first.

In the past few days, a number of Bay Area dispensaries have told their clients that from now on it’s cash only, because Visa and MasterCardaren’t allowing their cards to be used for marijuana purchases anymore. (source)

Well, I can’t say it surprises me. Even though Obama pledged that he let states take their own course on this issue, that hasn’t panned out (the original link given here has disappeared, so I have linked to a similar article). So, while we might be able to say that Visa and MasterCard can make up their own minds about this issue, the fact is that they are only taking this stand because of persuasion by the government.

Harborside Health Center in Oakland sent its patients a similar message, blaming a “continuing federal threat of seizure against financial institutions.”

So, now Visa and MasterCard are influenced by the government to act as their agents to make it as difficult as possible for some people to get the medication that they need. I wish that large corporations like this would stand up for their customers’ rights, rather than buckle to pressure of this nature.