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Banking & Cannabis: The Next Frontier Webinar

Client Alert

On Tuesday, September 21st, BMD’s own Banking and Cannabis Partner, Stephen Lenn, hosted a star-studded cast of panelists in a webinar titled Banking & Cannabis: Cannabis Lending, The Next Frontier. The webinar, which had to suspend registrations when hitting a maximum cap of 500, aimed to explore issues related to cannabis and banking, with a particular emphasis on lending. With the sponsorship and support of the Bankers Associations of Arizona, Colorado, Ohio and Utah, Steve was able to recruit an elite group of bankers, bank regulators, cannabis industry players, and cannabis regulators, who took the topic head on. The discussion kicked off with an opening from the keynote speaker, VP of Congressional Affairs for the American Bankers Association, Tanner Daniel.

Mr. Daniel opened the panel discussion with an observation that even though he never envisioned being involved in cannabis lobbying, yet the political climate and rapidly changing laws of cannabis thrust him into the space. With that, Mr. Daniel discussed the realities of passing the various pieces of legislation currently pending at the federal level, but a pervasive theme followed his comments and the rest of the conversation – banking the cannabis industry is here, and it going to keep moving forward!

From there, the discussion was passed onto the panel of bankers, industry players, and regulators who addressed banking and cannabis from their points of view. The robust conversation ranged from how bankers got into the business, their experience with regulators, how they perform risk-based assessments to categorize certain cannabis businesses when providing bank services, to issues facing cannabis executives and employees who are trying to obtain personal loans and mortgages, then topped off the discussion by describing how cannabis regulators interact with financial institutions throughout the licensing process.

The webinar ultimately created several important results. First, the program brought together prominent constituencies in the banking and cannabis space which will facilitate greater collaboration and future successes among those stakeholders. Second, it provided actionable information to the attendees – about 75% of whom were bankers representing more than 200 banks, including a dozen of the 56 largest. Finally, even if measured only by the level of interest reflected by capacity registration, it substantiates the almost inevitable expansion of banking for the cannabis industry – and that everyone must be ready.

For a recording of the webinar, click here. For more information on the importance of banking and cannabis, click here for a compilation of related materials.

Please direct all related inquiries to cannabislaw@bmdllc.com


2022 Healthcare Recap and 2023 Healthcare Check-Up

As the country begins to return to a new “normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many healthcare rules changing on both the federal and state levels as a result. Thus, it is important for healthcare providers and their employers to be aware of these changing rules, and any implications they may have on their practice. Look back on healthcare in 2022 and find a checklist for 2023.

Direct Support Professional Retention Payments

On December 15, the Ohio Senate and House passed House Bill 45, which authorizes the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), in conjunction with the county boards of developmental disabilities, to launch their initiative to issue retention payments to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). These retention payments will be distributed quarterly to participating home and community-based waiver providers to address the workforce crisis in the direct provider sector. Governor DeWine needs to sign the Bill to begin the payments, but he is expected to do so by the end of 2022.

Real Estate Investors Position for 2023 Opportunities

Real estate investors weathered another year in a post-pandemic world, with the year closing with yet another interest rate increase coupled with both uncertainty and heightened interest carrying into 2023. Just last Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate 0.50 percentage points, shifting the target range to 4.25% to 4.50%. The new level is the highest the fed funds rate has been since December 2007 and marks the seventh rate hike this year. So what does this mean to investors, brokers, lenders, and others in the real estate world? Read a few perspectives below from stakeholders familiar with our BMD clients and the markets in which they do business.

Five Major Trends for Employers to Watch Out For in 2023

Five Major Trends for Employers to Watch Out For in 2023: Major changes may be on the horizon for noncompete clauses. The EEOC is gearing up to file more discrimination lawsuits against employers. The Department of Labor is poised to raise the salary threshold for exempt employees under the FLSA. Unionization momentum may slow in 2023. ESG is the new norm to attract and retain talent.

Patient Abandonment and Termination

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to patients with whom they have established a treatment relationship. However, there may be some instances when they will need to terminate their relationship with a patient. FAQs for patient abandonment and termination are provided to help guide physicians.