Snoop Dogg’s cannabis-focused online resource platform Merry Jane, which offers information on culture, news, video, and style on cannabis lifestyle, recently released a report entitled “5 Ways to Buy Weed With Bitcoin.”
Cannabis and Bitcoin had a synergistic relationship for a substantial period of time. However, law enforcement agencies and governments across the world disproved and discouraged users in buying weed using bitcoin.
For instance. on June 6, 2016, an unnamed German Silk Road user was arrested for ordering cannabis 17 times on the marketplace using bitcoin. In light of the vent, independent researcher Gwern Branwen stated, “Can a buyer, in the absence of any intercepted packages or possession of illegal drugs, be prosecuted or otherwise get into trouble? At least in Germany, the answer seems to be yes.”
Still, there are some legal marketplaces, platforms, and stores that offer users opportunities to purchase weed with Bitcoin. Snoop Dogg’s cannabis-focused resource platform highlights five unique technologies or platforms cannabis users can buy weed using bitcoin.
The Merry Jane team recommended five methods of purchasing cannabis using bitcoin: Dark Web, Online Head Shops, McChronalds, Royal Queen Seeds, and Bitcoin Debit Cards. The Dark Web, while it is illegal in many countries, cautious users may refrain from being disclosed by a law enforcement agency.
However, Bitcoin debit cards, specifically Coinbase Shift debit cards which Merry Jane suggests, could be illegal according to the user agreement of both Shift Payments and Coinbase.
A section of the Shift Payments user agreement reads, “In addition, funds tied to suspected illicit or illegal activity may be subject to both internal and potentially Federal investigation. We reserve the right to restrict or delay your access to any such funds.”
When opening a new card, users are also required to submit their social security number, date of birth, real name, and valid U.S. mailing address, which may be handed over to the Federal Government based on Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
Coinbase terms of service also states that purchasing drugs or controlled substances are strictly banned.
Thus, while purchasing cannabis on the Dark Web or other online platforms can be legal, users of Coinbase Shift debit cards are cautioned to fully understand Shift Payments and Coinbase’s user agreement before purchasing weed with bitcoin.
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