NEWS
Fears of an Industry-Wide Banking Crackdown on Cannabis Advocacy Groups May Be Unfounded
AD
PNC Bank closed two advocacy groups' accounts, but so far other banks are not following their lead.
Published on September 3, 2017

This summer, PNC Bank closed the accounts of two major cannabis advocacy groups, stating that it “couldn't afford the risk.” Banks have always refused to open accounts for admitted canna-businesses thanks to the continued federal prohibition of marijuana, but advocacy groups have generally been considered safe because they do not directly handle the drug. The PNC closures left advocates concerned that banks across the country were about to take a harder stance against businesses that indirectly dealt with weed.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, so far, it seems like the closures were specific to PNC and not the beginning of a new bank crackdown. The Marijuana Policy Project and NORML, the two organizations who lost their PNC Bank accounts this year, have already found new banks willing to take them on. Separately, Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), said that his group has good relations with a number of banks.

“I think that it’s somebody at a particular bank compliance department that’s overreaching in their interpretation of Department of Justice policy,” Smith said of the PNC closures. “These are legal nonprofits that are recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt organizations. And the IRS, which is a division of Treasury, does not grant tax-exempt status to illegal businesses. For us to get the non-profit status, we have to, in great detail, describe the services we provide and why we earned that tax-exempt status.”

“Organizations such as MPP and SSDP engage in the very legal and constitutionally protected acts of advocacy and education which are controlled by an extensive set of state and federal laws and regulations,” said Betty Altworth, executive director of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. “Refusing to provide banking services to an organization which seeks to expand justice and liberty is an outrage, and it’s difficult to imagine the decision is not motivated by an effort to stymie progress and social change.”

“I don’t think there is necessarily a concerted campaign from the federal government contacting banks, telling them not to do this,” said an anonymous spokesperson from another cannabis advocacy group. “I think there have been some communications between the federal government and banks, and when something comes across someone’s radar, that’s what activates scrutiny.”

The spokesperson said that they would only speak on the banking issue anonymously, because media attention might draw unwelcome scrutiny from their own bank. “Part of not getting banks to close down your account is not being in articles about banks closing down accounts. This is a radar issue.”

NEWS
BUSINESS
POLITICS
SAFETY
Chris Moore
FOLLOW
Chris Moore is a New York-based writer who has written for Mass Appeal while also mixing records and producing electronic music.
Share this article with your friends!
AD
By using our site you agree to our use of cookies to deliver a better experience.
Accept
Decline
MORE FROM MERRY JANE