The cannabis industry in the US took a significant step towards the mainstream this week following the passage of the SAFE Banking Act 2018.
The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of passing the Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, by a margin of 321-103 to be exact, which will allow for banks to engage with cannabis companies without fear of legal repercussions. Under current federal legislation, banks are restricted from offering their services to cannabis companies and run the risk of prosecution in line with statues passed during the War on Drugs.
To highlight the extent to which current legislation impacts the industry, director of government relations for the National Cannabis Industry Association Michael Correia said, “If you do business with the cannabis industry, you can be liable for breaking money-laundering laws. National banks, Wall Street banks — they have more at risk, and they want to have more certainty.”