The Federal Government is Changing Banking Laws for Marijuana Retailers

The Federal Government is moving to make it easier on states where selling marijuana is legal. Eric Holder announced that U.S. Treasury and law enforcement agencies will be issuing new regulations opening banking services to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses even though the plant is still an illegal narcotic under federal law.

He also added that the new rules will make it easier for newly licensed medical marjuana dispensaries and recreational retailers in Washington State and Colorado to manage their funds through banking services.

This will reduce the risk of the retailers from getting robbed and will be able to pay employees through payroll instead of keeping the cash on hand. This will also benefit the state government to tax the revenue of the sales the retailers bring in.

"You don't want just huge amounts of cash in these places," Holder told the audience at the University of Virginia. "They want to be able to use the banking system. And so we will be issuing some regulations I think very soon to deal with that issue."

He also added, "There's a public safety component to this," he said. "Huge amounts of cash - substantial amounts of cash just kind of lying around with no place for it to be appropriately deposited - is something that would worry me just from a law enforcement perspective."

Holder isn't the only one that has been concerned about the safety of the dispensaries but his deputy James Cole also expressed this concern in September. 

This comes at a time when Colorado has already enacted it's new marijuana consumption law, with Washington state right behind them. Other states like Alaska, California and Oregon is also on it's way making marijuana legal as early as 2014.

Though Holder didn't mention specifics to how long it will take for the new banking laws to be enacted, but this a step in the right direction.

Get ready Florida it's your turn at the Weed polls!

Washington has done it, Colorado has done it, Arizona is thinking about it and Florida is on their way to the polls. Marijuana is making it's way around the country, legally. Now it's Florida's turn to shine.

Starting in August 29, 2013 The United for Care campaign, which is run by the People United for Medical Marijuana filed a petition with the Florida Secretary of State. Then on September 24, 2013 United for Care reported that the deadline for receiving 550,000 or more signed petitions would be  January 31st, 2014.

Fortunately, United for Care went way beyond the call of duty on getting petitions signed. They exceeded the needed 550,000 and came in with a whooping 900,000. They are still recieving petitions even now!

Florida only needs 60% of the vote to get this passed, and since 70% approve, all you have to do is remember to vote on Nov. 4 2014, and show your support either way.

If that's not enough you can check out a recent statewide poll that showed 70% of Floridians are for the legalization of Medical Marijuana. There has already been nineteen states that have enacted the Medical Marijuana laws.

It's important to highlight that people for the legalization of Marijuana isn't just for smoking it for fun, but it has many medical uses, they are for the decriminalization of marijuana and supporting the Hemp industry, which would be environmentally friendly.

So come Nov. 4 2014, head to the polls Florida and tell your government whether people should have the right to medicate themselves with marijuana or if should continue to dwell under lock and by the government.