Maybe you're right; But something feels a bit out of focus for me, only because they're only 'involved' from the standpoint that they're selling software. If their software was called 'seed' tracker and they didn't mention Marijuana overtly, would it still be an issue?
I get that Stripe can (and should) do business with whomever they choose. This guy's rant aside, I think the fringe business issues surrounding emerging industries are really interesting.
Here's another example: Technically Uber has been operating in a legal grey area for a while (not unlike this software). What if companies like Stripe refused to do business with them because of their quasi-legal business? AirBnB?
If their software was called 'seed' tracker and they didn't mention Marijuana overtly, would it still be an issue?
I think so... As others have pointed out (including the Stripe CEO apparently) the banking industry is very paranoid about the legal marijuana industry right now. There is just too much grey area, even in states where it's legal.
As for Uber and ABB, although there has been a lot of press around them and some setbacks for them here and there I just don't think people get nearly as excited about them as they are about the recent relaxation of marijuana laws. People get very hyped about marijuana (and drugs in general) being legal; it seems like one of those issues that people are pretty passionate about, whether for or against.
> If their software was called 'seed' tracker and they didn't mention Marijuana overtly, would it still be an issue?
Probably. There's often a significant legal difference between selling something intended as a general use tool that happens to have utility in illegal enterprises and selling something that is specifically designed and marketed as a tool for a specific class of criminal enterprise.
I get that Stripe can (and should) do business with whomever they choose. This guy's rant aside, I think the fringe business issues surrounding emerging industries are really interesting.
Here's another example: Technically Uber has been operating in a legal grey area for a while (not unlike this software). What if companies like Stripe refused to do business with them because of their quasi-legal business? AirBnB?