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Originally Posted by Due
(Post 20527474)
There is still a long way to go. A major problem is that the IRS doesn't allow growers and dispensaries to have any kind of expense deductions when filing their taxes because marijuana is still a schedule 1 controlled substance.
I'd say patients should file a class action lawsuit because the lack of tax deductions inflate the price with at least 30-40%. its also likely it will increase crime rates as you can really run a "corporate" medical mmj business if you can't have any expenses.
For banks I would say you should look for one that have branches only in Oregon to avoid potential cross state business, if you or your paper trail cross state lines it's federal. I'd consults with a lawyer !
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With the banking thing it more complicated than just being about state lines. The Controlled Substances Act made it illegal for any financial institution that uses the Federal Reserve System's money transfer system to take money from drugs that are illegal federally. That is pretty much every bank.
The Obama administration has issued rules basically telling the justice department to not go after banks in those states that deal with pot businesses, but most banks are still very wary and have said that they will likely choose not to take pot money for as long as pot is considered an illegal drug on the federal level.
There are a few small banks and credit unions that have started working with pot businesses, but not many. There are other people working on other solutions.
One worry is that nobody knows what the next administration will do. The new president could come in, be anti-pot and tell the justice department to go after banks that are taking pot money.
I think, eventually, there will laws passed by congress that will remove the fears, but I think we are a ways away from that still.
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