An Associated Press story on SF Gate reported on Tuesday that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has put limits on what welfare recipients can purchase with their state-issued debit cards.
Businesses deemed “inconsistent with the intent” of the program such as medical marijuana shops, psychics, tattoo parlors, bingo halls, bail bond establishments, and cruise ships were were among those barred. ATMs and point-of-sale card readers in such businesses will be removed from the network that accepts California’s Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.
Schwarzenegger banned welfare cards from casino ATMs in June following a Los Angeles Times report that the cards were being used to withdraw cash in 32 of 58 tribal casinos in the state.
