420 with CNW – Congressional Committee Approves Marijuana Banking Bill

April 1, 2019 15:20:31

On Thursday last week (March 28), the House Financial Services Committee voted to pass a bill that will make it easier for cannabis businesses to access banking services. The bill will now be scheduled for consideration by the entire House after it passed at the committee level when 45 legislators voted in favor while 15 voted against the bill.

Marijuana advocates see this committee action as a sign that the Democrats who dominate the House are finally making good on their support for cannabis law reform.

The bill seeks to make it possible for marijuana businesses to get access to banking services without any fear of federal action against them. Some of these businesses are working with some banks, but the majority of the financial services providers are reluctant to accept cannabis businesses as clients for fear of violating federal money laundering or illicit drug laws.

The SAFE Act was passed after being debated for several days in which a number of amendments were considered and either passed or rejected when a vote on them was called.

For example, one amendment sought to compel the federal government to conduct research on inclusion and diversity in the cannabis industry so that the damage caused by the war on drugs on minorities can be corrected.

Another amendment that was included in the bill added insurance companies to the list of entities that would be protected by the SAFE Act. It should be remembered that cannabis businesses have also been finding it hard to access insurance services that are vital for any business. If the bill becomes law, then marijuana companies will be able to access insurance services in the same way that other legitimate businesses can.

Another amendment added will compel the Government Accountability Office to study the reports banks are required to file about the marijuana businesses they have as clients. This examination is intended to find out how effective those reports are in helping the authorities to unearth illegal activity.

Those reporting requirements have previously been mentioned as one of the major reasons why it is very expensive for cannabis businesses to access banking services even when some banks are willing to accept these businesses as clients.

One proposed amendment tabled by a Republican legislator wanted to delay the implementation of the SAFE Act until the federal government rescheduled marijuana. Sensing that the amendment wouldn’t pass, the mover withdrew it before it could be voted on.

Many of the amendments that were rejected were mainly proposed by Republicans who wanted to cleverly water down the impact of the proposed law or even render it unenforceable. But the Democrats used their majority on the committee to sidestep all those traps.

Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX.V: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) and The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR) (OTC: FLWPF) are glad that Congress is finally acting to enact laws that bring U.S. cannabis businesses into the fold of all other legitimate businesses across the country.

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