From Trump campaign signs to Planned Parenthood bumper stickers, license plate readers around the US are creating searchable databases that reveal Americans’ political leanings and more.

  • HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    there’s a town nearby with dispensaries that have some amazing deals. there also happen to be three red light cams and two license plate readers the have been reported to give their information to out of state agencies and ICE on the two other stoplights in town. You can’t convince me that’s not some kind of honeypot.

    • Stonewyvvern@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      They literally scan your ID when you buy green in my state. They already know who you are and where you live. The cameras are to keep people honest (intimidated).

      • tempest@lemmy.ca
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        1 month ago

        I mean in addition to all that even if they didn’t scan your id of you pay with anything but cash then the credit card company or bank knows and can be made to give up that info pretty easily.

        • xthexder@l.sw0.com
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          1 month ago

          Not a single cannabis store that I know of in the US accepts credit card. They’re all cash only because the banks don’t want any part of it. (Technically it’s still federally illegal, and they don’t want to get in trouble as national business)

          • BlitzoTheOisSilent@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            Not a single cannabis store that I know of in the US accepts credit card.

            False. Went to one in June, 2024, in New York City, right around Time’s Square, and the guy behind the counter asked if I was paying via cash, debit, or credit.

            I asked him about the credit option, and he said Visa has started working with some dispensaries and offering their credit services for payment. I even mentioned it to a dispensary employee in Maine (they only accept cash), and he said the same thing: Visa is the only one that’s barely starting to offer credit service for dispensaries.

            • TK420@lemmy.world
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              1 month ago

              Lots of “stores” sell “weed” (delta 8) and that’s not illegal for credit cards.

              You are not buying real weed from a real dispensary in the US with a credit card, yet. One day, but if you aren’t paying cash, that’s a red flag.

              • BlitzoTheOisSilent@lemmy.world
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                1 month ago

                Yep, that must be why I walked into a dispensary, that sold only recreational and medicinal marijuana to adults aged 21+, that checked all IDs at the door, and reverified them by the cashier. Then, after completing my transaction using a debit card, and having my aforementioned conversation with the cashier, who was wearing the identification as is required by all states with recreational marijuana on a lantern around their neck, and proceeded to leave with legitimate marijuana…

                I know delta 8 and all those substitutes. This was a legitimate dispensary advertising and using Visa for credit transactions for their purchases.

                Hence why I said they’re very barely doing so, but Visa appears to at least be starting to, and that your statement of “no store selling marijuana will use a credit care” was false.

                  • BlitzoTheOisSilent@lemmy.world
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                    1 month ago

                    It doesn’t.

                    I didn’t want to use a credit card, that doesn’t mean they don’t accept them. They made that clear they do.

                    So no… Your point does not still stand.

            • Drusas@fedia.io
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              1 month ago

              That person was reporting their experience. It’s not false that they have not seen it. I haven’t, either.

          • njordomir@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            I have seen many run it as an ATM transaction rounded to the nearest dollar and refund the change in cash. I saw this in two states.

            Having said that. I love cash only businesses. Visa and the other CC companies have way too much power. We should all go back to cash tomorrow, but we won’t.

            I ran a business, not weed related, that was cash only for the better part of 5 years. When I started taking cards I made sure cash and bitcoin were also options. The only downside was going to the bank every week to grab stacks of small bills for change. The upside was never having to deal with credit cards and every payment settling instantly when the cash changed hands. Under $100, cash is king.

              • njordomir@lemmy.world
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                1 month ago

                Simply because most people won’t walk around with $100+ in their wallet. If you are specifically going to pay for something I guess cash is king until it hits 30-40lbs and gets harder to carry.