A Democratic senator has announced that she's joined the list of bipartisan cosponsors of a cannabis banking bill, stressing the need for the reform amid a spate of robberies targeting state-licensed cannabis businesses in her state.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) signed on as a cosponsor of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act on Tuesday, becoming the 35th member of the chamber to add their name to the legislation in addition to its lead sponsor.
"Last year there were more than 50 robbery attempts at cannabis dispensaries in the State of Washington," the senator said. A report from StoptheDrugWar.org further found that nearly 100 Washington cannabis shops were impacted over a period of less than five months in 2021.
"This bill will take the target off the backs of our state's dispensaries by updating federal banking laws so they don't have to do all their business in cash," Cantwell said.
Read more at marijuanamoment.net