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EmeraldCityGrl

(4,310 posts)
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 08:20 PM Apr 2012

Medical-marijuana dispensaries run into trouble at the bank

Source: Seattle Times

Some dispensary owners say they've resorted to euphemisms — such as a "holistic healing center" — when trying to open a bank account.

That's in part because federal authorities have warned banks that handling receipts from marijuana sales remains illegal under federal law and could violate money-laundering laws.

The conflict is not isolated to Washington, one of 16 states — plus the District of Columbia — to allow therapeutic use of marijuana for certain patients.

Aaron Smith, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based National Cannabis Industry Association, estimates that half of dispensaries nationwide lack a bank account, which he blames on pressure from federal banking regulators.

"It is a widespread problem that threatens the entire industry," he said.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018103547_maribanking30m.html



It would seem if dispensaries must resort to dealing in cash, not only are they targets for robbery,
when Federal agents show up which they often do despite local laws, all cash can be confiscated.

There are a host of problems that will result from this ridiculous IMO, decision by the banks. They
will take the money of fraudulent scammers of small investors, but not legitimate local businesses.

Bill Maher should have used his $1,000,000 to invest in a few private banks in CA., WA. and other states
with dispensaries facing the same issues.
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Medical-marijuana dispensaries run into trouble at the bank (Original Post) EmeraldCityGrl Apr 2012 OP
I read this in this morning's paper. It infuriates me that the Feds are making it so tough for gateley Apr 2012 #1
Du rec. Nt xchrom Apr 2012 #2
banks mcgarry50 Apr 2012 #3
This is ridiculous. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #4
They can't Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #7
Can't they go in as an affinity group and charter that way? Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #8
So I'll start an unregulated CU anti-alec May 2012 #15
You would still be a money service business Yo_Mama May 2012 #16
No surprise at all... TownDrunk2 Apr 2012 #5
I would think they'd make a lot more with legalizing marijuana because most people don't have... randome May 2012 #13
It's not the banks' decision Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #6
That's right. Treasury is putting the squeeze on them. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2012 #9
Holder stated as such just Sunday night. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #10
This is a campaign issue... EmeraldCityGrl May 2012 #11
Yup. Here are the others: Ruby the Liberal May 2012 #12
Thanks, good link CenaW May 2012 #18
I had this idea of a marijuana credit union anti-alec May 2012 #14
Come on. We have to legalize it. Taverner May 2012 #17
+1 sarcasmo May 2012 #19

gateley

(62,683 posts)
1. I read this in this morning's paper. It infuriates me that the Feds are making it so tough for
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 08:27 PM
Apr 2012

these people.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
7. They can't
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 11:02 PM
Apr 2012

Banking is a regulated industry in the US. Who starts a bank or credit union is regulated.

BSA (the law under which this is being done) controls even non banks, so even if the dispensary owners were to gather together and start a non-bank money service business that would take cash and make payments electronically, they would still be subject to these laws.

This is one way the feds can pretty much shut them down. FinCEN:
http://www.fincen.gov/

Money services businesses have to follow all these laws too:
http://www.fincen.gov/financial_institutions/msb/

The Feds are tightening down even on the prepaid card business:
http://www.fincen.gov/news_room/nr/html/20120314.html

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
8. Can't they go in as an affinity group and charter that way?
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 11:21 PM
Apr 2012

Dated thinking here, but used to be that Credit Unions were restricted to things like having to be an employee, union member, member of a club, etc. I know now they pretty much limit it to "do you have money", but aren't affinity charters still doable?

 

anti-alec

(420 posts)
15. So I'll start an unregulated CU
Tue May 1, 2012, 04:53 PM
May 2012

and can find backers to guarantee the deposits.

Feds can not tell us what to do with the money we collect.

We pay taxes, and if the feds doesn't want us to pay taxes, then we won't.

They lose out on major cash flow coming their way if they don't legalize it fast enough.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
16. You would still be a money service business
Fri May 4, 2012, 05:34 PM
May 2012

subject to all the regulations. They can beat you to death that way if they want to do it, and it appears they do.

 

TownDrunk2

(63 posts)
5. No surprise at all...
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 09:50 PM
Apr 2012

The federal government is a wholly owned subsidiary of the pharmaceutical industry. Who will suffer if marijuana is ever made legal (don't hold your breath). The pharmaceutical industry which stands to lose billions on the sales of anti-depressants and tranquilizers which is a huge portion of their market.

 

randome

(34,845 posts)
13. I would think they'd make a lot more with legalizing marijuana because most people don't have...
Tue May 1, 2012, 03:21 PM
May 2012

...the time or the inclination to grow their own any more than they do to grown their own tobacco or brew their own beer.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
6. It's not the banks' decision
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 10:56 PM
Apr 2012

You have to follow federal laws, and it appears the Feds are putting the pressure on banks.

Huge fines for noncompliance.

 

Comrade Grumpy

(13,184 posts)
9. That's right. Treasury is putting the squeeze on them.
Mon Apr 30, 2012, 11:34 PM
Apr 2012

I hesitate to point out that Treasury is part of the Obama administration executive branch.

EmeraldCityGrl

(4,310 posts)
11. This is a campaign issue...
Tue May 1, 2012, 12:00 PM
May 2012
So, just to be clear - Obama chose to do the wrong thing in regard to medical marijuana. Admitting this does not mean I'm not going to vote for him - but it's important to recognize that Obama is playing politics with people with life-threatening illnesses because some Republicans would attack him for doing the right thing, and doing the right thing would upset some powerful people within bureaucracies like the DEA, within the pharmaceutical industry, and within the prison industry.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002628455

Not only is this an issue for those with specific illnesses medical marijuana effectively helps, it's a huge
issue for the young voter.

Big Ag. Big Pharma and private prisons all have a investment in the future of this industry. Voters be damned.
 

anti-alec

(420 posts)
14. I had this idea of a marijuana credit union
Tue May 1, 2012, 04:52 PM
May 2012

Fuck the feds for this one.

I'd open a MJCU and encourage the dispensaries to exchange through the CU so they can continue to accept credit/debit cards and will fight with the Feds any day, any time with thousands of armed lawyers ready to sue the hell out of the U.S. Government for trying to seize dispensary funds when they are in fact legal.

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