The Bengal Bite - Cannabis as an Essential Service - 4/16/2020
Over the past month, cannabis has been declared an "essential service" in almost all of the jurisdictions where it is legal. As the COVID-19 pandemic unsettles the global economy, legislators have moved to protect one of the few sectors of the economy that is actually growing despite negative global macroeconomic conditions.
The Bengal Capital Team
Pelosi wants marijuana banking access included in next coronavirus relief bill, congressman says
With the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) is working to include provisions to allow marijuana businesses access to banking services in an upcoming COVID-19 stimulus package.
Colorado governor asks Congress to let marijuana businesses get coronavirus aid funds
Current SBA regulations prevent cannabis businesses and vendors from accessing emergency relief funds granted by Congress with the CARES Act. The governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, has asked Congress to include a provision in the next relief bill to ensure all state-legal cannabis businesses, direct and indirect, have access to emergency loans.
Certification for cannabis use added to telemedicine services
In Arkansas, the state government has taken an important step to make sure that potential medical cannabis patients are not excluded while social distancing. A new emergency ruling allows patients seeking cannabis for medicinal purposes to use "telemedicine" to obtain a prescription.
Epidolex removed from controlled substance list
The first FDA approved, cannabis-based pharmaceutical product finally has been removed from the Drug Enforcement Administration's controlled substance list.