As we move into July 2025, well past the year’s midpoint, the cannabis industry continues to evolve and expand, even as it grapples with the ongoing complexity of federal prohibition and a patchwork of state-level legalization. While cannabis has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, the lack of federal banking protections has created serious challenges for operators, employees, and even patients. One of the most urgent needs is for safe, regulated access to financial services, which is where the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act comes in. The bipartisan proposal offers protections for banks, credit unions, and insurers that work with state-legal cannabis businesses, helping bring the cannabis industry out of the cash economy and into the 21st century¹.
Enter Congressman Dave Joyce. Hailing from our neighboring state to the west, home of Buckeye pride and Skyline Chili, Joyce may not seem like a conventional supporter of cannabis policy reform. As it turns out, the former prosecutor actually co-authored the SAFER Banking Act out of a bipartisan commitment to states’ rights, regulatory consistency, and common-sense oversight.
“It was medically legal in California, yet the VA hospitals couldn’t prescribe it to veterans… And veterans obviously were needing it for PTSD and other things. So I voted for it.” – Rep. Dave Joyce²
The Ohio Congressman has also spoken candidly about how his late father’s battle with cancer shaped his views on patient access.
“All the poor guy wanted was to have a decent meal. And if [cannabis] would have helped him at all, then why shouldn’t he have access to it? It’s stupid.”²
For Joyce, the root of the matter centers around dignity, fairness, and modern governance.
Why SAFER Banking Matters
Under current law, many cannabis businesses operate primarily in cash. That puts staff at risk, complicates compliance and tax reporting, and creates enormous inefficiencies. The SAFER Banking Act would change that by allowing financial institutions to:
- Work with cannabis businesses without risking their insurance or federal penalties
- Reduce cash reliance, improving safety for both customers and employees
- Make auditing, taxation, and internal controls much more efficient and transparent¹
For local cannabis dispensaries like Country Grown Cannabis, that means a future with:
- Access to loans and growth capital
- Safer digital payments and card transactions
- Better data tracking for compliance and business performance
Oversight, Not Chaos
One of Joyce’s most potent arguments? Bringing cannabis businesses into the banking system actually strengthens oversight.
“If you grew 400 pounds, then you should have X number of dollars in the bank account. And if you don’t, that’s reason for an audit, just like we do with casinos.”²
That kind of logic is hard to argue with. Banking access creates a paper trail, and that means a cleaner, safer, and more accountable cannabis industry. It’s a progressive idea grounded in regulatory common sense, one that benefits everyone, from patients to entrepreneurs to regulators.
What does that mean for West Virginia?
As our state’s cannabis program continues to grow, we deserve a system that’s safe, transparent, and built for the long haul. The SAFER Banking Act is a step toward that future, one where local businesses can thrive, patients can access care without stigma, and our economy can grow responsibly. If this sounds like a solution you support, there are several things you can do, including but not limited to:
Writing to your local and state representatives.
Supporting candidates who support state-led cannabis solutions.
And keep demanding common-sense policy that puts patients and communities first.
West Virginia shouldn’t be the last to act—we should be one of the smartest to adapt.
Sources
Weiser, H., Mutz, R., Jacob, K. M., Haile, C., & Whitcomb-Zeidel, A. (2024). Recent developments in cannabis law. Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, 59(2), 151–172.
Leader’s Edge Staff. (2024, March 12). SAFE Banking Act lingers. Leader’s Edge Magazine. https://www.leadersedge.com/industry/safe-banking-act-lingers
