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.
Because the Senate already passed its own version of the COMPETES Act without cannabis banking language included, there will be negotiations to decide the fate of the banking provisions in the large-scale legislation.
Please take a moment to urge Congress to keep SAFE Banking in the final version of the COMPETES Act.
Lack of access to banking is a serious barrier for state-legal cannabis businesses across the country. It keeps prices high for patients and consumers, hinders social equity efforts, and, due to the cash-only manner of operations, creates risks for workers and communities.
Eighteen states, and the District of Columbia, have now legalized adult-use cannabis, and more states are going to be moving forward with similar legislation. How long will federal lawmakers ignore this issue?
Ask Congress to support retaining basic banking protections for state-licensed cannabis businesses in the COMPETES Act.
The federal government’s failure to pass meaningful banking reform harms the entire cannabis industry, but it disproportionately hurts small-business entrepreneurs, many of which are social equity- and minority-owned companies. Passing cannabis banking reform is a key step toward dismantling federal cannabis prohibition. Please let your federal lawmakers know you want to see SAFE Banking in the COMPETES Act.
- Take Action: Urge Congress to End Federal Cannabis Prohibition
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Federal: State-legal cannabis businesses still denied banking access
2020 to end with historic legalization vote in Congress
Click here to ask lawmakers to vote "yes" on cannabis legalization.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are poised to vote on the MORE Act, which could come as early as Wednesday. It has been a historic year for cannabis reform, and December is shaping up to be no different.
Click here to send an email message to your representative in the House in support of the MORE Act.
This landmark legislation would remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances, expunge criminal records related to cannabis, and take other important steps toward ending the war on marijuana and its consumers. Criminal justice reform cannot begin in our country without ending the war on cannabis. The MORE Act would strike at the core of its harmful status in federal law, and it would provide essential restorative justice provisions to begin to undo decades of harm caused by prohibition. For more on MORE, click here.
If you haven’t done so already, please take a few minutes to reach out to your House members and ask for their support on the MORE Act. Then, forward this message to folks in your network, and let's keep up the pressure.
Mass.: Adult-use retail sales will resume May 25
Stores will be open for curbside delivery only — thanks to all who contacted the Baker administration and their elected officials!
Today, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that adult-use cannabis retailers will be allowed to reopen on May 25. The stores, which had been ordered to cease operations on March 23, will be allowed to serve customers by curbside delivery only during the first phase of the commonwealth’s reopening.
Thanks to everyone who contacted Gov. Baker and other elected officials and stressed the importance of regulated cannabis businesses! The shutdown has been a major setback for businesses and an inconvenience for many consumers, so it is a great relief that things can finally start getting back on track.
In other positive news from the Bay State, applications for delivery licenses are expected to become available in late May. These licenses will be reserved for social equity and economic empowerment applicants.
Please share this excellent news with your family and friends!
Colorado: Cannabis delivery heads to Senate floor!
The bill to allow safe, regulated cannabis deliveries in Colorado is out of committee and headed to the Senate floor! The vote could happen as soon as tomorrow, so there’s no time to lose.
Let your state senator know you want them to support this sensible bill.
Then, post the link to social media or forward this message to other supporters of sensible cannabis policy.
Unlike alcohol and other legal products, Colorado prohibits patients and adult consumers from having cannabis delivered.
A bill that would fix that — HB 1234 — has already passed the House.
Many medical cannabis patients have significant mobility limitations. Driving to the store is impossible for some due to their medical condition. Far more dangerous prescriptions can be delivered in the mail, but cannabis delivery remains illicit and in the shadows. Starting next year, medical cannabis deliveries would be allowed.
Beginning in 2021, HB 1234 would allow all adults 21 and older the benefits of cannabis delivery. This can provide safe, regulated access to adults and bring cannabis consumers closer to equal footing with alcohol consumers.
Don’t forget to take a few moments to send your senator a note using our free online tool, then share this message with friends and family in Colorado.