One of the more frustrating aspects of the cannabis industry for business owners is the lack of available banking services. Many banks are hesitant to provide banking services to the cannabis industry because of the conflict between state legality and federal illegality, not to mention the obligation of banks to file Suspicious Activity Reports for transactions that may violate the Bank Secrecy Act. While the number of banks providing services to the cannabis industry is growing, obtaining banking services is still very challenging for cannabis entrepreneurs. The standoff between banks and the cannabis industry manifests in many frustrating ways, including but not limited to strictly cash businesses, banks who charge excessive services fees to cannabis business clients and the need to use credit unions in lieu of traditional banks (who themselves are fighting their own legal battles).
Recently, California proposed an idea that could very well reshape the entire cannabis industry: a state sponsored bank for cannabis businesses. California State Treasurer John Chiang and Attorney General Xavier Becerra are planning to conduct a feasibility study to test whether a California state bank would help California’s many cannabis businesses.
“We are contending with the emergence of a multi-billion dollar cannabis industry that needs banking services, and a private banking industry that is stymied by federal law in meeting the needs of the new industry,” Chiang said.
Saiber LLC is a business counseling and litigation law firm headquartered in Florham Park, with offices in Newark, New York, Philadelphia, and Scranton. For over 70 years, the firm has built a reputation for delivering innovative, creative, and cost effective solutions for a full-range of business and litigation matters. The firm represents a broad spectrum of clients, including closely-held businesses, multinational corporations, public and private universities, and government agencies. To learn more, please visit http://www.saiber.com.
