NEWS
Public Safety and SAFE Banking Act Op-eds:
Another Voice: SAFE Banking Act needed to protect cannabis workers
The Buffalo News – April 14th 2022
To protect the safety of employees, to bring America’s banking laws into the 21st century, and to once and for all move the regulated cannabis industry out of the shadows, Congress should move swiftly to pass the bipartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2021. It would require federal banking regulators to provide uniform guidelines for cannabis-related business accounts.
Their bipartisan letter states: “Allowing cannabis businesses operating legally and in compliance with state law to access financial services without federal reprisal would address public safety and compliance challenges, helping communities reduce cash-motivated crimes.”
Leap Testifies in Support of the Safe Banking Act
Law Enforcement Action Partnership
LTE: SAFE Banking Act Can Prevent Crime at Cannabis Dispensaries
August 14, 2022
The measure wouldn’t legalize cannabis nationally, but it would end the 'cash only' problem and give Maine’s legal pot businesses access to banking and other services.
Like most law enforcement officials in Colorado, I initially opposed legalization of marijuana for recreational use a decade ago. I feared a crime wave, but I was wrong.
The cannabis industry needs the protection of SAFE Banking
Penn Live – December 10, 2022
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania patients must receive approval from a physician if they want to legally use cannabis in the state.
Weed’s Workaround to the Banking System Is Getting Shut Down
Bloomberg – December 5th, 2022
Marijuana shops across the US are rushing to find alternative ways for customers to pay after networks that supported a popular workaround to the banking system began to shut down last week.
Washington must help cannabis money move safely
New York Daily News – November 19, 2022
Because federal and state law diverge on cannabis, dispensaries have limited access to the U.S. banking system and the credit and debit card services used by other businesses. This leaves legal dispensaries exposed as cash-heavy targets for violent criminals.
Federal catch-up is critical on cannabis
Star Tribune – September 10, 2022
Minnesota's recent move to legalize low-THC edibles is further evidence of the swift shift underway toward greater acceptance and use of cannabis in the U.S.
NAACP: Senate should vote on cannabis banking reform
The Hill – January 9th 2022
At the NAACP, we know that we can’t achieve racial equity without economic equity.
OpEd: NY’s Cannabis Industry Should Be SAFE for Workers
Long Island Press – September 4, 2022
Those working in cannabis find themselves unable to access capital and other essential financial services, leaving them without key economic support and potentially vulnerable to violent crime. As the legal adult-use cannabis program begins to come online in New York, steps must be taken to ensure that workers in the industry are set up to build a career and succeed.
Cannabis Lobby Days: Marijuana Banking Within Reach, But Not Assured
Forbes – June 10, 2022
Two weeks ago, the push for Congressional action on cannabis banking reform heated up as members of the National Cannabis Industry Association descended on Congress for four days of lobby meetings. Meetings were held over Zoom, as many Congressional offices maintain pandemic protocols that prohibit in person meetings.
Commentary: SAFE Banking Act would boost cannabis industry in more ways than one
Albany Times Union – April 27th 2022
Distributing cannabis-selling licenses to meet goals related to equity concerns has merit. But safety should be the public policy priority.
