Rainforest Farms retailer had sent their tax payment through the U.S. Postal Service, and to their surprise the box was returned to the business. U.S. Postal Service refused to ship the money.
Postal inspector Aaron Behnen said “any proceeds from the selling of (marijuana) is considered drug proceeds under federal law, so you can’t mail that,” The Juneau Empire reported.
Rainforest Farms had been trying to send its tax money, but the owner finds it impossible to send. Since banks have locked out money that comes from marijuana in fear of federal laws, the farm sent their money via postal service.
“It’s difficult. People like cash, but it does take a lot to move it, especially when you have to account for it properly,” said James Barrett, one of the owners of Rainforest Farms. Being locked out of banks, and marijuana being illegal federally, makes running the business a challenge, Barrett said. There isn’t a way that patients pay electronically, so everything is paid cash.
It is not simple for marijuana business owners to move money around when there is a barrier on the way. They can’t simply just place the money in an account and transfer cash like it is normally done in the 21st century.
State Rep. Don Young has created a Congressional Cannabis Caucus with fellow representatives to work on getting a bill passed to protect banks and credit unions that choose to service marijuana-related businesses.
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