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New Federal bill to  Allow Banking for Marijuana Businesses

IncSmart Colorado (Small Business and Startups) - Marijuana businesses can not open business checking accounts for their Corporations and LLCs.  However, a bill was introduced to Congress called the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (SAFE Banking Act), legislation that allows banks to serve marijuana businesses without conflicts with federal government.  Specific legislation is needed so companies do not rely on opinions from the Steven Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary, or Jeff Sessions, the Attorney General.

Florida Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Decriminalize Cannabis

IncSmart Florida (Small Business and Startups) - The larger counties and cities in Florida, which including Miami-Dade, Orlando, Tampa, Key West, and Broward County, have passed laws that gives police an option of issuing a citation rather than making an arrest for possession of marijuana. But two laws have been introduced to the state legislature, would end the option for arrest of possession.  Currently, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor criminal offense.  This has the potential for up to a year in jail.  The new laws would make possession a non-criminal civil violation, similar to a parking ticket.

Decriminalization of Marijuana

IncSmart Virginia (Small Business and Startups) - Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, who hopes to be the next governor of Virginia, has publicly announced his support for the decriminalization of marijuana.  Data shows that black Americans are 2.8 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana in Virginia, than other races.  Virginia spends more than $67 million annually on marijuana laws.  Ralph Northam is a doctor, and has seen the evidence of marijuana health benefits such as treatment for pain, epilepsy and PTSD.

Recreational Marijuana Industry Offers Home Deliver

IncSmart Oregon (Small Business and Startups) - Customers in Portland may now have pot delivered to their home if it is ordered from licensed seller.  The Oregon Liquor Control Commission regulates cannabis home delivery.  The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has given delivery permits to 117 retailers in Oregon, 13 of those in Portland.

Hawaii Government and Marijuana Laws

IncSmart Hawaii (Small Business and Startups) - There are three marijuana bills being considered by the Hawaii Legislature.  The first bill would decriminalize penalties for anyone caught with less than an ounce of marijuana. Civil fines of $300 for the first offense.  The second bill would allow medical marijuana patients to have more plants and more ounces of marijuana.  And the third bill allow medical marijuana dispensaries with the government approving permits to open.

Marijuana Report

IncSmart Colorado (Small Business and Startups) - Colorado is the first state to ever enact state law to tax and to regulate the sale of marijuana for private use beyond medical purposes.  Two years are over.  How did they do?  Reports from the Colorado Department of Revenue show that the first ten months of legal marijuana sales have resulted in nearly $40 million in tax revenue.  Denver saw a decrease in violent crime rates in the first 11 months of 2014, following a similar trend in 2013. Reports from the Colorado Department of Transportation show that traffic fatalities statewide, are declining.