As readers and stoners, we’re no strangers to censorship. From banned books to Instagram stories flagged for showing off fire nugs, free speech isn’t always so straightforward these days.
“Transaction Denied” by Rainey Reitman explores this issue from a new angle. Financial censorship means cutting people off from financial tools and institutions because of something they’ve said, created or supported. That could look like a glassblower losing access to PayPal for selling rigs or a podcaster being denied a mortgage over political views. Through stories of humanitarian activists, adult entertainers and even one of Leaf Magazines’ own, this book explores the real consequences of financial censorship and the range of communities it affects.
A personal favorite chapter, Cannabis and Industry Censorship, begins with Jackie Bryant, journalist and Leaf content director, unexpectedly receiving notice that Stripe — the payment processor of her Substack newsletter — is removing her for violating its terms of service. The irony? Cannabitch was completely free to read. It didn’t sell Cannabis or distribute products in any form; it simply linked to Cannabis companies as part of Bryant’s reporting. Stripe claimed those links helped traffic a controlled substance. Bryant responded the way most writers would: She went public.
Her account of “raising hell” with the platform went viral, drawing media attention and sparking broader conversations across her 20,000-plus social following. So much so that Stripe quietly reversed its decision. From nonprofit Muslim organizations to online naked yoga communities, others Reitman interviewed also pushed back against financial censorship by making noise.
“A lot of people I feature in the book were able to find some kind of resolution eventually,” Reitman said. “That often looked like a public advocacy campaign, like Jackie did, where she was able to get the company to reverse its decision.” Still, “there are a few that I continue to be concerned about,” she explained, “and I hope this book coming out could help them get access to financial services.”
So what can you do? Stay informed! The more we read, share stories and start conversations, the harder censorship becomes to ignore. Pick up a copy of “Transaction Denied” to start; a portion of every sale supports the Freedom of the Press Foundation (co-founded by Reitman) and its work defending free expression.
“Transaction Denied“
Written by Rainey Reitman
Published by Penguin Random House
