We Dont Want Your Money

Banks Say "No Dice" To Collecting Money From Marijuana Companies

What Are Marijuana Dispensaries Going to do?

 

Owners of a legal pot business count stacks of cash

I am not a pot head, lord knows I tried it a few times in my college years, but I am smart enough to know this is not your typical drug.  In fact, my opinion is it should be legalized.  

Legal marijuana merchants — mainly medical marijuana outlets, starting this year, shops that sell recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington are grappling with a pressing predicament: Their businesses are conducted almost entirely in cash because it is exceedingly difficult for them to open and maintain bank accounts, accept major credit cards and thus its a cash business.  As you can imagine, there are criminal elements seeking these residence out to snatch estimates that exceed $500,000 in cash easily. 

The problem underscores the nature of federal and state laws that have evolved fitfully as states have legalized some form of marijuana commerce. Though 20 states and the District of Columbia allow either medical or recreational marijuana use with more likely to follow suit (Arizona recently passed the same law) BUT the drug remains illegal under federal law. The Controlled Substances Act, enacted in 1970 classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the most dangerous category, which also includes heroin, LSD and ecstasy.  Go figure.

As a result, banks, including state-chartered ones, are reluctant to provide traditional services to marijuana businesses. They fear that federal regulators and law enforcement authorities might punish them, with measures like large fines, for violating prohibitions on money-laundering, among other federal laws and regulations.  Isn't this capitalism at its best.  The laws are passed, We the People say its legal, yet now we are hung up on laws that should also be amended and or abolished. 

“Banking is the most urgent issue facing the legal cannabis industry today,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association in Washington, D.C. Saying legal marijuana sales in the United States could reach $3 billion this year, Mr. Smith added: “So much money floating around outside the banking system is not safe, and it is not in anyone’s interest. Federal law needs to be harmonized with state laws.”

The limitations have created unique burdens for legal marijuana business owners. They pay employees with envelopes of cash. They haul Chipotle and Nordstrom bags containing thousands of dollars in $10 and $20 bills to supermarkets to buy money orders. When they are able to open bank accounts — often under false pretenses — many have taken to storing money in Tupperware containers filled with air fresheners to mask the smell of marijuana.

Lets hope there is a solution in sight.  Perhaps those in Congress will find the right solution as Marijuana lobbyists start popping up all over! 


About the Author: Graham Ware is a recognized #SEO expert with over 5 years of digital marketing experience. Naturally this article is connected to Grahams Google+ profile. It also links to Twitter but that has nothing to do with authorship.

Cigar Aficionado? Not Me...

Cigar Reviews

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They say everyone picks a "poison" I would tend to agree.  For me its cigars.  I work my a** off to acquire these sticks and with National Cigar day fast approaching (Feb, 27) it has become more than an activity but a way to relax and enjoy the company of good men.  Yes I have a membership (really its more that I am a charity case) to a a rather small but dapper cigar club.  Elitists including the likes of celebs and 1 nameless politician can get together and network, talk shop, watch the occasional news headline or sporting event but the real reason is to simply relax.  Its funny as I would never consider myself a "cigar aficionado" by any means, in fact most of the sticks I partake in are of a lower status quot. You wont see me smoking a Gurkha Black Dragon anytime soon rest assured.   Recently I was given a bonus at work, so I thought that I could use a small portion of that to spoil myself.  I got the Davidoff Millennium blend and it has always been one of my favorites since golfing with Billy Mayfair at Sanctuary Golf club.  He was after all the one whom introduced it to me.

David Off Millennium Blend

About the Author: Graham Ware is a recognized #SEO expert with over 5 years of digital marketing experience. Naturally this article is connected to Grahams Google+ profile. It also links to Twitter but that has nothing to do with authorship.

Cabin Trip 2014: Graham Ware

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Connect with me on Google Plus at +Graham Ware
I decided it was time to take a trip up north - the weather was cold (for Arizona anyway) but had a great time to get away and relax.  There is something about being in the wilderness that brings such peace to my soul.  I did a lot of self evaluating, self meditating and came to peace with a lot of great things I have going in my life, as well as a few who have lashed out.  I am reminded of a bible verse Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  With the countless church events and charity work I have done, my family has always raised me to give to others and trust in Gods plan.  I have seen the best in people and the worst.  But I have been reminded that others will not deter my motivation and the gifts God has blessed me with.  

  

Cigars and Cocktails on the creek

Gorgeous Trail

Some fun climbs

Frozen Creek

Best Time To Grab a Cold One

About the Author: Graham Ware is a recognized #SEO expert with over 5 years of digital marketing experience. Naturally this article is connected to Grahams Google+ profile. It also links to Twitter but that has nothing to do with authorship.

3 Weeks For Business Owners To Verify: Google Places

Attention Business Owners - Have a Google Places Account?

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If you have a Google Places listing you may or may not have received an email notification from Google regarding the standing of your Google place account.  If you did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.

That's right we said "de-listed" that arduous task of waiting for the postcard to arrive with a PIN verification could be for nothing.  As Google attempts to push more and more people and now business listings in the social arena with Google+ for Business.  
 

In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again. 

By Graham Ware

If you have a Google Places listing but did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.

In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again.

If you have a Google Places listing but did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.
In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again.

Read more at http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-sending-warnings-business-owners-3-weeks-save-google-places-listing/89361/#4OGlIGlD7eLX3OXb.99

If you have a Google Places listing but did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.
In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again.

Read more at http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-sending-warnings-business-owners-3-weeks-save-google-places-listing/89361/#4OGlIGlD7eLX3OXb.99

If you have a Google Places listing but did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.
In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again.

Read more at http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-sending-warnings-business-owners-3-weeks-save-google-places-listing/89361/#4OGlIGlD7eLX3OXb.99

If you have a Google Places listing but did not receive this email, it doesn’t necessarily mean you weren’t affected. The email may have been automatically trashed by the spam filter of your inbox, so you may want to manually check to make sure so you can avoid your Places listing becoming de-listed.
In order to manually check, just log into Places for Business and take a look at your business information. Go through it and update it if necessary, then click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, to ensure they remain on Google Maps. If you don’t, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo the tedious PIN verification using Google Places all over again.

Read more at http://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-sending-warnings-business-owners-3-weeks-save-google-places-listing/89361/#4OGlIGlD7eLX3OXb.99