Senate Banking Committee to Vote on Bill Allowing Banks to Work With Legal Marijuana Businesses
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Senator Jeff Merkley is leading a bipartisan group of senators to advance a bill that would give legal marijuana businesses access to banking services.
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The bill, called the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, aims to provide legal protection to banks that work with state-legal cannabis companies.
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The Senate Banking Committee will vote on Wednesday to advance the landmark bill, marking the first time the Senate has considered such legislation.
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Legal marijuana sales are booming, expected to reach $33.6 billion by 2023, but federal prohibition poses risks to banks working with the industry.
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The bill may face challenges in the House, where Republicans seem to be souring on it, but is expected to pass the Senate Banking Committee vote.