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Attorneys General to support bill allowing banks to do business with legal marijuana companies

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Michigan’s attorney general is getting behind a push to change federal law to allow banks to do business with marijuana companies.

Even in states like Michigan, where marijuana is legal, it remains a cash business.

Banks and credit unions remain leery of handling money from marijuana due to federal anti-drug laws.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is part of a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general for 38 states and territories urging Congress to pass the Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act.  

The bill would allow legal marijuana-related businesses to use the federal banking system.

Supporters say changing the law would allow cannabis businesses to operate like any other legal business. 

The legislation is awaiting a vote in the House.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005.