Many industries know that there are policies they want changed that they cannot credibly address, so they create advocacy organizations and pour millions of dollars into them to prop them up and give the appearance of grassroots support.

Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will once again vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would end the federal prohibition of cannabis and create important protections for individuals, the emerging cannabis industry, and those harmed by prohibition policies.

Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed provisions of the SAFE Banking Act as part of the America COMPETES Act, marking the sixth time cannabis banking legislation has been approved by the chamber.

On December 7, the Connecticut Social Equity Council approved income and residency documentation requirements for social equity applicants and cannabis businesses seeking to operate as Equity Joint Ventures. The approval is contingent upon the Council’s acceptance of an implementation plan for the accelerator and technical assistance programs, which will provide important business support to potential applicants.

Congress is now negotiating the fate of a bill that would make it easier for cannabis businesses to get basic banking services. The SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to legally work with state-licensed cannabis businesses, was recently added to a must-pass piece of legislation currently under consideration — the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). We are asking for your help to ensure it passes. 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021 (SAFE Banking Act) in a bipartisan vote of 321-101. The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

On March 25, the Vermont Senate passed S. 25, a bill that would strengthen the social equity provisions in Vermont’s cannabis legalization law. The bill would require the Cannabis Control Board to reduce or eliminate licensing fees for social equity applicants, which are defined as “individuals from communities that historically have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition or individuals directly and personally impacted by cannabis prohibition.”

Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives recently approved HB 2722, which puts arbitrary caps on the number of medical cannabis businesses allowed in Oklahoma and creates impediments for new entrepreneurs to enter the industry. Passage of this legislation would only reduce competition and limit patients’ options.

MPP proudly commemorates Black History Month. As we honor the history and achievements of Black Americans, we must also seek to advance policies that address systemic racism and reform our criminal justice system. That includes ending cannabis prohibition.

By Steve Hawkins, executive director, Marijuana Policy Project The coronavirus crisis has abruptly forced all Americans to reexamine our priorities. Entire sectors of the economy have been shuttered as we reduce contact between people to flatten the curve and reduce the death toll. Elected officials and regulators, in particular, must reevaluate a wide range of government policies to ensure a swift, coordinated, and appropriate response to the pandemic. One public policy that offers no benefit…