John,

Last week, we said it was GO TIME in Congress, and we weren’t kidding.

Tomorrow – just one week after the House Oversight Committee approved legislation to prevent applicants for federal employment and security clearances from being discriminated against for past cannabis use – the Senate Banking Committee will hold its first-ever markup hearing on cannabis banking reform legislation. Members of the Committee will debate S.2860, the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act.

This newly-introduced bipartisan legislation builds upon the SAFE Banking Act to help address the concerns of advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. NORML believes that it is absolutely necessary to provide safe and affordable access for cannabis consumers while improving transparency, fairness, and opportunities in regulated cannabis markets.

The importance of this markup hearing cannot be overstated. If this committee does not approve the SAFER Banking Act, it could spell the end of any hopes to pass stand-alone cannabis policy reform legislation in the Senate for the rest of this congressional session.

However, a successful committee vote this week paves the way for this long overdue bill to finally pass the Senate and then the House of Representatives, and it boosts our chances of having lawmakers consider additional bills that will directly impact and improve the lives of responsible cannabis consumers nationwide.

We need your help now more than ever. Can we count on your support?

Sincerely,

Morgan Fox

NORML Political Director