Smart Banking Act is in the Pork
By: Ben Horner
Congress considers a second round of stimulus funds to help the nation as the shelter in place orders hamper the US economy. The CARES Act provided individuals with $1,200 and $500 per child. Citizens began receiving checks with a memo from Trump in May. With only a small section of the country opening back up late May, Nancy Pelosi and her colleges put forward a new package, the HEROS Act, which met controversy from the right. Conservatives question why democrats have included several provisions in the stimulus package such as aid to state budgets, relief for undocumented immigrants and the SMART BANKING Act.
The SMART BANKING act is a bipartisan bill authorizing US banks to allow state licensed marijuana facilities to open accounts and conduct business in conventional terms. Most cannabis companies conduct cash only business.
Democratic Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell has explained how cannabis is not only positive for medical purposes but potentially a huge economic sector of the economy. Many Cannabis experts see the SMART BANKING act as a precursor to nationally decriminalized cannabis.
Republican candidate John James, who is running against Gary Peters for his seat, is not taking a stand on the cannabis issue. The MM Report reached out several times to James’ headquarters and haven’t received any responses to our questions.
Ryan Basore, Cannabis Activist and owner of the cannabis brand Redemption, had the opportunity to meet John James and this is what he told us, “Back in the summer of 2018 John’s comment to me was that he supports legalization, but our proposal was a bit too far in terms of legalization for him to endorse, but with a bit of a wink. My take was that as a republican candidate with the national party behind him he couldn’t do it. That is my opinion, so I don’t mean to put words in his mouth.“The VGIP (Vote Green Initiative Project) is urging everyone to reach out to President Trump, Mitch McConnell and the rest of the US Senate and urge the passing of the SMART BANKING act. The elected officials work for us, but only if we tell them what to do!
