Cannabis is having a bit of a moment. State by state legalization is making its way around the USA. In Canada, the industry has grown throughout the pandemic and despite circumstances. It’s true there is still pushback and bad memories from the days of anti-cannabis legislation and fear-inducing speeches by senators. But people are changing their minds about what Cannabis is used for and why it should be decriminalized across all 50 states. There is a cultural shift here in the USA, one we hope continues.
Cannabis is No Longer Behind Closed Doors
New License Cannabis Debit Card Processing
The first step to making cannabis accepted is opening it up to the public. Much of the fear and anger towards Marijuana was the fact that it remained illegal. Many people who were vehemently opposed to cannabis due to its legal status are now no longer opposed. After all, if it is regulated, controlled, and taxed; why shouldn’t people of legal age be able to make their own choice. Not to mention the tax revenue that every state and local municipality that opts in can take advantage of.
Cannabis & CBD are Changing Pain Management
The value that Cannabis and CBD compounds have provided to patients suffering from all kinds of ailments is astounding. Most important are the differences for pain management patients. A decade ago, doctors and pharmacists took incentives from drug companies pushing highly addictive pain medications. So much damage was done to so many communities. So many young lives were taken due to addiction caused by their doctor. This directly led to the flood of overdoses we experience in the United States still to this day.
The damage was so bad that huge class action settlements have already been paid to victims’ families by opiate-pumping drug companies. There is still much work to be done and federal legalization would be a huge step in the right direction.
New Cannabis Licenses Offered to the Hardest Hit
New York state (amongst others) is leading the way in attempting to repair communities most severely affected by marijuana laws. Because people faced fines, jail, and even prison for marijuana possession, many have criminal records for what is now completely legal. African American communities have been the hardest hit by Draconian cannabis laws that denied science and aided institutional racism.
The New York program‘s goal is to undo some of the damage left in the wake of cannabis incarcerations. The quote from the website states: “goal of awarding 50% of licenses to social and economic equity applicants” (NYS State Office of Cannabis Management).
Eliminating the Black Market
Canada and states across the USA have seriously hurt the black market. By offering a legal route for the sale and consumption of Cannabis, criminal organizations and gangs are slowly losing market share.
Law Enforcement & Court System Resources
States that have legalized cannabis no longer have to spend state funds on incarcerating cannabis users. The same goes for every single level of the court system. From the local municipal courts to county and state-wide criminal courts, Cannabis takes no docket time or state funding. Law enforcement no longer has to waste time and energy chasing down and arresting recreational cannabis users. This has allowed law enforcement to focus on serious crime and hard drugs while also freeing up the court system.
Cannabis Debit Card Processing Options
Have a Cannabis business or recently apply for a license? USA Banks will not allow marijuana credit card sales. So, debit card processing is the solution most often used. We have partnered with local and regional banks willing to work with Cannabis and CBD businesses of all shapes and sizes. We have 15+ years in the industry and are proud to call ourselves investors in the space.
Call today and let’s discuss your Cannabis business’ merchant service needs.
