# Why Did Lawmakers Couple Cannabis Banking Reform with Defense Spending?

Published 2021-10-04 · Updated 2026-03-26 · Business Services on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/business-services/why-did-lawmakers-couple-cannabis-banking-reform-with-defense-spending

> If you’ve heard about the SAFE Banking Act on the news quite a bit lately, you may be wondering why. Lawmakers are considering giving banks legal cover to serve cannabis companies in states where the substance is legal. But why it was included in a military defense and spending act AND how will this banking…

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If you’ve heard about the [SAFE Banking Act](https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/10/03/safe-banking-act-would-make-cannabis-business-easier/) on the news quite a bit lately, you may be wondering why. Lawmakers are considering giving banks legal cover to serve cannabis companies in states where the substance is legal. But why it was included in a military defense and spending act AND how will this [banking reform](https://marketscale.com/industries/business-services/will-cannabis-banking-reform-mean-better-marijuana-marketing-campaigns/) change the landscape for the cannabis industry? Cannabis attorney, [Michelle Donovan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-r-e-donovan-459a937/) at [Clark Hill](https://www.clarkhill.com/) breaks it all down.

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