The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) released new polling today showing that most Americans believe federal marijuana banking legislation would have a positive impact.
“64% of Americans agree that the SAFER Banking Act’s provisions allowing cannabis-related businesses to access the banking system would help improve public safety”, found the poll. The poll also found that 54% “agree that opening the banking system to cannabis-related businesses would help underserved communities.”
The results are similar to a American Bankers Association poll released last month, which found that 63% of American adults support the SAFE Banking Act.
“As community bankers representing local communities nationwide gather in Washington this week for in-person meetings with their members of Congress, new ICBA polling demonstrates that Americans from coast to coast support our views on key policy issues,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “With polling conducted by Morning Consult showing Americans understand the importance of these issues in ensuring continued access to locally based banking, ICBA is proud to continue helping community banks advocate in Washington and power the potential of local communities nationwide.”
In the House of Representatives, the SAFE Banking Act has 117 sponsors, while the Senate’s SAFER Banking Act has 36 sponsors. Both measures would allow accredited banks and credit unions to offer a wide range of banking services—including debit card processing and bank loans—to marijuana businesses compliant with state laws. The SAFER Banking Act was approved with bipartisan support through the Senate Banking Committee in September.
