House Approved Coronavirus Relief Package that Includes Marijuana Banking
House Approved Coronavirus Relief Package that Includes Marijuana Banking
Coronavirus Relief Package
House Approved Coronavirus Relief Package that Includes Marijuana Banking
On Friday, May 15th 2020, the House approved a coronavirus relief package that included provisions that would protect banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. The vote was 208 to 199.
Many advocates, stakeholders, and lawmakers have been pushing for cannabis reform to be made regarding the COVID-19 legislation. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which has been previously passed by the House last year as a standalone bill, represents a significant victory to that end.
While the House approved the coronavirus relief package, it’s not said whether the issue will proceed in the Senate. Some GOP members were against the banking legislation, arguing that it was not relevant and is an example of irrelevant items that were included in the Democratic “wish list”.
It’s likely that some changes will be made when the Senate receives the bill. The new coronavirus stimulus bill also included a section that would help people with prior convictions to become eligible for SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).