https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/08/24/07/30/dollars-426023_960_720.jpg # Philadelphia was the first city in the United States to ban cashless stores. Now, several others states are following suit. New Jersey, Massachusetts, [Washington D.C](https://ourcommunitynow.com/community/new-washington-dc-bill-would-make-cashless-restaurants-illegal/)., and San Fransisco, have all similarly looked to ban cashless stores. ## There are more than 10 bills, with 2 introduced on the federal level, [that are seeking to ban the prospect of cashless stores](https://www.paymentsjournal.com/why-lawmakers-are-protecting-cash-usage/). Critics say that going cashless is going to negatively impact those living in poverty, and that cashless restaurants [are classist and discriminatory](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/15/cashless-ban-washington-act-discrimination). The card-only payment method might exclude those who don't have that payment method, and lawmakers are passing bills to try and prevent that from happening. https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/02/01/18/01/money-256319_960_720.jpg A growing number of retailers today have opted to refuse accepting cash as a form of payment, they argue that this has made transactions faster and improved customer service, among providing other benefits. Less cash on hand at the restaurant or business establishment also makes it less likely that they will be targeted for crime. But many people today still use cash as their preferred payment method and they aren't ready to drop cash for a cashless-only market. Unfortunately, what is sacrificed here is the freedom of the individual to choose what they are willing to accept in return for the goods that they are selling. If party A wants to sell something to party B, then the two of them should agree upon what payment method is acceptable; government shouldn't be interfering with its own violence to try and bring about its own agenda of preserving the cash payment option. If a business wants to operate on a cashless basis and risk the chance of losing those customers, and failing as a result, then that should be their right. https://steemitimages.com/DQmaW48YhsgLS2fxaYkXCuon3tFpQEEh1tSUCU3jjJXv7RT/%40doitvoluntarily.gif