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Comment by smnrchrds | Hacker News Reader

How could you sell marijuana and build the legalize movement, if government could just block those payments?

It is even worse than that. In Canada, cannabis is going to become legal this week. Government stores will sell it in some provinces, regulated private stores in others. Despite this, experts are warning people to buy it with cash, and never ever with a credit card. You see, Visa, MasterCard, and Amex are American companies subject to American data protection law. Because cannabis is illegal in the US, buying it with a credit card means the US government can learn about the transaction and ban you for life from the US.

Credit card is only an option for the intersection of international laws. As soon as you want to do something that is not legal in some countries, you better switch to cash.

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Here in San Francisco Bay Area, you can use your debit card and the charge is identical to an ATM. If your purchase is $31.50, you're charged $40 (like an ATM) and given the difference back as cash.

Do they really charge a 9.50 transaction fee?

No, it's a method to preserve purchaser privacy.

* You purchase some goods.

* Store triggers an 'ATM' withdrawal of a multiple of $20 that is greater than the cost of your purchase.

* You actually buy your goods with cash behind the scenes.

* The teller hands you your change from the cash transaction.

Same as having an ATM next to the checkout counter but the customer doesn't have to do the awkward step.

No. They give the $9.50 back to you. But on paper, you took $40 out of an ATM. On their end it's like you handed them $40 and they owe you change.

I paid for alcohol in multiple countries between 18-21 years old. Do you think the US Gov cares that much about anything non-terror to seek foreign transactions?

Maybe. Maybe not. Getting banned from the US is a pretty big inconvenience for most people living in southern parts of Canada (i.e. most people in Canada). It is unwise to play Russian roulette with that. Even if the current administration is cool with it, there is no guarantee that the next one will be.

Canadian media thinks it is not worth the risk [0], especially in the light of the statements made by US officials [1].

[0] https://globalnews.ca/news/4140898/legal-pot-data-banned-us-...

[1] https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/13/canada-weed-pot-bo...

We ought not to rely on Security through Insignificance. The data isn't just available to a current administration that doesn't care about it. It's available to all future administrations that might.

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