Using a Bridge card to buy a bottle of pop would be banned by a bill introduced this week by an Upper Peninsula lawmaker.
State representative Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain says the measure is aimed at keeping people healthier and cutting down on drug abuse. LaFave says there are people who buy a case of cheap pop using their Bridge card, dump out the liquid and return the bottles for cash to buy drugs.
LaFave also says the state is giving people economic incentive to buy pop instead of water, because there's no bottle deposit for water.
A Bridge or EBT card provides food assistance for low-income families.
The bill is a long-shot in order for it to pass, the federal government would have to provide a waiver that prohibits Bridge card users from buying pop. The bill has been referred to the Families, Children and Seniors Committee.
