[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 182 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1440-E1442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT FOR H.R. 1595, THE SAFE BANKING ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DENNY HECK

                             of WASHINGTON

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2019

  Mr. HECK. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
letters of endorsement for H.R. 1595, the SAFE Banking Act, which 
passed the House on September 25, 2019.

                       National Cannabis Industry Association,

                                                   March 26, 2019.
     House Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the 
     largest and oldest national trade association dedicated to 
     protecting state-legal cannabis businesses, defending state 
     laws, and advancing federal policy reforms, would like to 
     offer its support of H.R. 1595, the Secure and Fair 
     Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019. On behalf of our 
     members, we thank the committee and Chairwoman Waters for the 
     opportunity to markup this legislation and further discuss 
     providing fair access to banking and financial services for 
     state-licensed cannabis cultivators, processors, and 
     retailers throughout the country.
       Founded in 2010, NCIA represents nearly 2,000 member-
     businesses and tens of thousands of cannabis professionals 
     committed to replacing criminal marijuana markets with a 
     responsible and regulated cannabis industry.

[[Page E1441]]

       Currently, our industry supports hundreds of thousands of 
     jobs, tens of millions in tax revenue, and billions in 
     economic activity. In 2017, the five states that had taxed 
     and regulated adult-use sales (Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, 
     Oregon, and Washington) collected more than $790 million in 
     state tax revenue that year. However, per current federal 
     law, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled 
     Substances Act. This blocks state-licensed cannabis business 
     and firms providing ancillary products or services to the 
     industry from accessing banking services, forcing them to 
     operate in an all-cash environment. This situation not only 
     creates an unnecessary public safety risk, it poses an undue 
     burden on state and local tax and licensing authorities, 
     which are forced to take large cash payments. These taxes and 
     licensing fees fund the enforcement of state marijuana laws 
     as well as school construction, drug education activities, 
     and infrastructure programs.
       In order to operate safely and successfully, businesses 
     must have access to traditional financial services. For the 
     cannabis industry, which conducts hundreds of millions of 
     dollars in transactions across the majority of U.S. states, 
     the lack of access to financial services creates public 
     safety hazards, including an increased chance of becoming a 
     target for robberies, loss of economic opportunity, and 
     inability to retain workforce talent. Restricting financial 
     services to licensed cannabis businesses also prevents the 
     elimination of illicit businesses currently operating in the 
     grey and black markets. The SAFE Banking Act of 2019 would 
     offer not only safe harbor for financial institutions that 
     choose to service cannabis related businesses, but would also 
     provide much needed clarity and direction from the federal 
     government.
       After nearly a decade of significant regulatory changes at 
     the state level, now is the time to pass the SAFE Banking Act 
     of 2019. Ending the conflict between state and federal 
     cannabis laws will promote a sound and robust financial 
     system that best supports the economic growth and job 
     creation driven by the growing number of state-licensed 
     cannabis businesses across the country.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Aaron Smith,
                                     Executive Director & Founder.
                                  ____
                                  


                                 National Cannabis Roundtable,

                                               September 25, 2019.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Minority Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: The 
     National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) is proud to offer its 
     strong support for H.R. 1595, the Secure and Fair Enforcement 
     Banking Act of 2019 (SAFE). The passage of SAFE represents a 
     clear, common sense solution to one of the biggest challenges 
     for one of the fastest growing industries in America.
       The National Cannabis Roundtable represents every aspect of 
     the cannabis supply chain. Our fifteen members operate in 23 
     states with legal cannabis programs, including the District 
     of Columbia. We are growers, processors, retailers, wellness 
     centers, technology companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and 
     publicly traded companies.
       Since California passed Proposition 215 in 1996 which 
     legalized the use of medical cannabis by those with 
     debilitating conditions, states around the country have 
     developed cannabis programs by licensing and regulating 
     cannabis businesses. Unfortunately, due to the Schedule I 
     status of cannabis, these businesses have been unable to 
     access traditional financial services, causing massive public 
     safety problems and business operations challenges.
       The SAFE Act deftly rectifies this problem by allowing 
     legitimate, licensed cannabis businesses to access financial 
     services. It provides clarity for financial regulators and 
     opportunity to entrepreneurs by creating a system of 
     accessible capital. SAFE also would allow for increased 
     financial transparency in the cannabis industry allowing law 
     enforcement to sort out licensed business from illicit 
     actors.
       The bill's lead sponsors Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Denny Heck 
     (D-WA), Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) have 
     developed broad bipartisan support for this important 
     legislation. The SAFE Act is supported by a sweeping 
     coalition of stakeholders. Activists in the drug policy 
     community, businesses in the cannabis industry, investors, 
     state and local law enforcement, banking regulators, and many 
     other groups.
       Currently, 47 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, 
     Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana 
     Islands and several Indian tribes have some form of legalized 
     cannabis either through an adult use program, a medical 
     cannabis program, or through cannabidiol programs. 
     Additionally, seven states are expected to either create or 
     expand cannabis programs via ballot initiatives in 2020 and 
     2021. It is estimated that legal cannabis industry U.S. 
     consumer spending on legal cannabis reached $10.4 billion 
     dollars in 2018. Even if no other states reform their laws, 
     cannabis spending is expected to top $26 billion by 2025. The 
     SAFE Act ensures that this economic growth can happen in 
     legitimate channels instead of on the streets.
       While there are many more facets of cannabis reform that 
     must be tackled in the future, the SAFE Banking Act will 
     provide needed clarity. keep our communities safe, and foster 
     economic growth and opportunity.
           Sincerely,

                                               Saphira Galoob,

                                               Executive Director,
                                     National Cannabis Roundtable.
                                  ____
                                  


                                                          CTF,

                                                   March 25, 2019.
     Re: CTF Supports the ``Secure And Fair Enforcement Banking 
         Act of 2019'' or the ``SAFE Banking Act of 2019''

     Hon. Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Patrick McHenry,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Financial Services, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry: The 
     Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF), a national coalition of 
     cannabis-related businesses that represent all aspects of the 
     industry including cultivators, dispensaries, wholesalers, 
     distributors, and ancillary businesses, strongly supports 
     enactment of the SAFE Banking Act, legislation that would 
     create a federal safe harbor for banks that offer direct or 
     indirect services to cannabis-related businesses pursuant to 
     state law. The SAFE Banking Act will benefit law enforcement, 
     state regulatory bodies, including taxing authorities, and 
     cannabis-related businesses.
       We associate ourselves with the testimony provided to the 
     Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial 
     Institutions on February 13, 2019, by Rachel Pross, Chief 
     Risk Officer for Maps Credit Union, who testified on behalf 
     of the Credit Union National Association. She correctly 
     observed:
       In the absence of a federal law providing explicit legal 
     clearance for financial institutions to provide banking 
     services to the Cannabis industry, it is highly likely that 
     many of these businesses will be forced to continue operating 
     outside of the financial mainstream. That outcome increases 
     the potential of lost tax revenue, increases the likelihood 
     of criminal thefts in our communities, and deprives both 
     state and federal law enforcement with important information 
     about cannabis activity.
       She is correct and her observations are obviously true. We 
     would like to underscore the importance of having cannabis-
     related businesses mainstreamed into the financial system to 
     law enforcement. In short, cash-only businesses are more 
     susceptible to bad actors, including money laundering, than 
     are those in the banking system where all anti-money 
     laundering and Bank Secrecy Act rules are followed and 
     enforced. This is one reason FinCEN promulgated guidance on 
     February 14, 2014, regarding ``BSA Expectations Regarding 
     Marijuana-Related Businesses,'' which remains in effect 
     today. That guidance noted that it ``should enhance the 
     availability of financial services for, and the financial 
     transparency of, marijuana-related businesses.''
       As important as that guidance is, banks have not fully 
     embraced it. Only federal legislation can achieve the type of 
     transparency and regulatory compliance sought by FinCEN. For 
     these reasons, we urge the Committee to order the SAFE 
     Banking Act of 2019 favorably reported so that the full House 
     of Representatives can consider this important legislation 
     forthwith.
           Sincerely,

                                                  Neal Levine,

                                          Chief Executive Officer,
     Cannabis Trade Federation.
                                  ____

                                      California Cannabis Industry


                                                  Association,

                                               September 25, 2019.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, 
         DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: The 
     California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) would like to 
     offer its enthusiastic support for H.R. 1595, the Secure and 
     Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2019 (SAFE). From the passage 
     of our state's medical cannabis program with Proposition 215 
     in 1996, to the passage of adult use cannabis with 
     Proposition 64 in 2016, California has been the leading 
     ``laboratory for democracy'' on cannabis policy. The SAFE 
     Banking Act is a massive victory for California cannabis 
     business and consumers.
       CCIA is the collective voice of the state's cannabis 
     industry, representing the diverse interests of cannabis 
     retailers, cultivators, manufacturers, delivery services, 
     distributors, testing facilities, insurance groups, packaging 
     companies, and various ancillary services. Our unified voice 
     includes over 500 California businesses representing over 670 
     brands and approximately 15,000 employees.
       Without question, the biggest challenge that all our 
     members face is access to traditional financial services. Due 
     to restrictions in Federal law, CCIA member businesses are 
     forced to primarily operate through cash transactions, 
     creating a massive public safety problem, and a logistical 
     nightmare when it comes to things like processing employee 
     payroll and paying state and local taxes. In fact, some 
     members of CCIA have paid upwards of $500,000 in cash carried 
     in duffel bags for quarterly tax payments. It is estimated 
     that legal cannabis sales will hit $3.1 billion in 2019 and 
     $7.2 billion by 2024, a market that will be 40% larger than 
     all of Canada and 253% larger than Colorado. SAFE

[[Page E1442]]

     moves these massive revenues into legitimate banks and off 
     the streets. With access to banking services our businesses 
     can reinvest in communities, increase of transparency of our 
     operations, and help facilitate economic growth. 
     Additionally, SAFE prevents consumers from having to carry 
     cash to pay for their cannabis and allows them to purchase 
     with credit cards. SAFE provides clarity for financial 
     regulators and law enforcement to sort out licensed business 
     from illicit actors.
       The bill's lead sponsors Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Denny Heck 
     (D-WA), Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) have 
     developed broad bipartisan support for this important 
     legislation. The SAFE Act is supported by a sweeping 
     coalition of stakeholders. Activists in the drug policy 
     community, businesses in the cannabis industry, investors, 
     state and local law enforcement, banking regulators, and many 
     other groups.
       The SAFE Banking Act is the first step of hopefully many in 
     federal cannabis reforms that allow California and other 
     states with cannabis programs to become fully on par with 
     other existing industries.
           Sincerely,

                                             Lindsay Robinson,

                                               Executive Director,
     California Cannabis Industry Association.
                                  ____

                                             Florida Department of


                            Agriculture and Consumer Services,

                                                February 13, 2019.
     House Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Maxine Waters and Ranking Member McHenry: 
     On behalf of Florida's farmers, our medical marijuana 
     professionals, and consumers, I want to thank you for your 
     efforts to provide the cannabis industry access to 
     traditional banking and express my strong support for the 
     Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (H.R. 2215).
       Conflicting guidance from the federal government has 
     unnecessarily, led to a higher level of risk and hurdles for 
     businesses in this emerging market. This is an issue that 
     affected me personally--while running for this office, our 
     campaign had two bank accounts closed due to my advocacy for 
     medical marijuana access and cannabis. The absence of 
     traditional banking services forces state-licensed businesses 
     to resort to all cash operations, which is inefficient and a 
     public safety concern. Businesses can't operate proficiently 
     with irregularities restricting their growth, stability, and 
     the ability to pay bills, rent, and employees, when their 
     accounts are inevitably closed. This is an issue impacting 
     our state and national economy.
       One of the important provisions of the recently signed 2018 
     Farm Bill (the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) is the 
     relisting of hemp as an agricultural commodity. But without 
     congressional action, continued confusion and misinformation 
     regarding hemp could discourage financial institutions from 
     partnering with our farmers on this new commodity.
       The Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (H.R. 2215) is 
     a strong first step in providing legitimate cannabis related 
     and state-licensed farmers, business, and consumers with 
     access to an efficient and safe banking system, and 
     traditional loans and capital markets.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Nicole Fried,
     Commissioner of Agriculture.
                                  ____



                             National Armored Car Association,

                                               September 25, 2019.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, 
         and Urban Affairs, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Minority Leader, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
         Urban Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy: On behalf 
     of the National Armored Car Association (NACA), I write to 
     express our support for H.R. 1595, the Secure and Fair 
     Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019. While NACA's members 
     do not take a position in favor of or opposed to the 
     legalization of cannabis or marijuana, nor currently service 
     the U.S. cannabis industry, we support H.R. 1595 because it 
     would address the existing conflict between federal and state 
     law with respect to proceeds from marijuana-related 
     businesses and allow for safer transportation, storage and 
     oversite of such proceeds.
       Formed in 1929, NACA is a business association that brings 
     together the three major companies of the armored car 
     industry--Brink's, Garda, and Loomis--with a focus on 
     protecting and promoting the common interests of the 
     industry. These three organizations comprise approximately 
     90% of the armored car industry in the United States, and 
     NACA members have handled virtually every dollar and coin in 
     circulation. They provide secure transportation and cash 
     management services for the Federal Reserve, financial 
     institutions, state and local governments, and private 
     businesses and individuals across the United States and 
     internationally.
       Currently thirty-three states and several territories, 
     including the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, 
     have legalized the use of cannabis to some extent. However, 
     federal law prohibits cultivation, distribution, and 
     possession of marijuana imposing significant legal risks to 
     financial institutions and ancillary businesses that might 
     consider providing financial services to the marijuana 
     industry. Consequently, hundreds of millions of dollars in 
     cash are being transported and stored outside our banking 
     system and often without adequate security and oversight. The 
     lack of available vendors to provide secure transport and 
     storage of cash increases the risk of criminal activity that 
     can pose a danger not only to those involved in the cannabis 
     industry, but the general public. H.R. 1595 would provide 
     NACA member companies with the needed legal protection and 
     clarity to safely and securely transport cash in states that 
     have legalized and regulated cannabis.
       We urge members of the House to support H.R. 1595.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Basil Thomson,
     Senior Director, NACA.

                          ____________________