Medical Marijuana Merchant Accounts for Dispensaries

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After the 2011 move by federal agencies to have tighter control over the finances and activities of medical marijuana dispensaries, many banks began shutting down medical marijuana merchant accounts. The move was considered by the medical marijuana industry as an attempt to get rid of the entire medical marijuana industry, but thanks to many merchant account providers like emerchantbroker and others, the medical marijuana dispensaries found an alternate to keep their cash flowing.

The tougher regulations imposed by federal agencies like the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the United States Treasury Department asked banks to spend more time and effort to review the medical marijuana accounts to keep a proper check on the cash flow but many banks preferred to shut down the accounts in order to save both time and effort. Many banks also wanted to avoid unnecessary involvement of federal agencies that often lead to shutting down of accounts owned by medical marijuana dispensaries.

Online Merchant Accounts: A Better Alternate to Banks

This creates a lot of problems for online medical marijuana dispensaries that want to charge customers through online credit cards. At the time of crisis, online merchant accounts become an effective alternate that allows credit card/debit card processing for online medical marijuana dispensaries. Most accounts for marijuana dispensaries are provided under high risk merchant accounts that required special terms and conditions with different payment plans, but most importantly, it allows medical marijuana dispensaries to keep their cash rolling through online channels. In order to keep your online business alive, the ability to process credit cards is critical. Merchant account providers provide this ability to medical marijuana dispensaries at a critical time for the industry.

How to Find a Good Medical Marijuana Merchant Account?

Today, with a good number of online medical marijuana merchant account providers available, medical marijuana dispensaries are in good position to choose from a range of effective and compatible options. When many merchant account providers provide accounts to medical marijuana dispensaries under high risk accounts, few providers are offering risk free accounts. As there are a number of legal issues involved with strict federal laws, medical marijuana dispensaries need to look in detail for the terms and conditions of the merchant accounts to avoid any uncomfortable situation in future. Make sure to find the providers who are willing to stand by your business at tough times instead of simply shutting you down under pressure. You may also need to compare multiple online merchant account providers for their processing fees and other charges.

Even though, medical marijuana dispensaries are doing good business and the demand for their product is up more than ever, tough federal laws make it hard for dispensaries to earn profits. But a good merchant account provider willing to help your business grow can do wonders for your business and profits, so make sure you are making a right choice when it comes to choosing a medical marijuana merchant account for your dispensary.

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Commercial Hemp Production in the Future for Kentucky?

by Erik Altieri, NORML Communications Director

In a statement published Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a previously outspoken opponent of marijuana law reform, did something surprising. He came out in support of allowing the production of industrial hemp.

“I am convinced that allowing its production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy,” McConnell’s statement read, “The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times that sounds like a good thing to me.”

The Senator cited his discussions with fellow Ketucky Senator Rand Paul and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Come as being influential in his new position.

It is worth noting, that as recently as last year, Senator McConnell was vociforus in his opposition to marijuana law reform. Replying to a constituent’s letter in 2012, McConnell stated that he was opposed to legalizing marijuana due to the “detrimental effects of drugs..[such as] short-term memory loss, loss of core motor functions, heightened risk of lung disease, and even death.”

While he makes clear that he wants hemp regulated in a way “that does not compromise Kentucky law enforcement’s marijuana eradication efforts or in any way promote illegal drug use,” perhaps his new found support for hemp will become his “gateway” to supporting further rational marijuana policies.

If you own a medical marijuana dispensary and need a merchant account or payment processing services, click on the icon below to sign up:

Wireless Payment Processing for Marijuana Dispensaries

Delivery dispensaries can now accept payments on the go with our wireless MMJ program. Delivery dispensaries have not had a reputable solution due to technological issues with the debit networks that most dispensaries now operate on.

The payment processing landscape for medical marijuana is ever changing, with recent legislation introduced on a federal level, things may once again change in the near future. For now however, the medical marijuana industry is limited to accepting PIN based transactions, for both retail and mobile transactions.

The High Risk Guys are proud to launch a new wireless program for medical marijuana merchants. Our program uses a wireless terminal, the Verifone Vx610 shown below:

We have a variety of pricing and equipment placement programs depending on the size and number of transactions of your dispensary. We also offer discounts if your dispensary has both retail and delivery services.

We specialize in providing customized solutions for the medical marijuana industry including gift and loyalty card programs, online ordering systems and even text marketing. Our programs will help you increase your patient base, lower your operating costs and ensure customer loyalty.

To find out more about our wireless merchant account solutions for medical marijuana dispensaries, click on the icon below:

Is New Hampshire the Next State for Medicinal Marijuana?

by Erik Altieri, NORML Communications Director

A group of five bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation to make New Hampshire the third state to legalize and regulate the adult use of marijuana.

House Bill 492 legalizes the possession of up to an ounce or less of marijuana and the private cultivation of a limited number of marijuana plants for adults 21 years of age and older. HB 492 would also allow for licensed commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana. Full text of this measure can be read here.

Polling conducted in January of 2013 by Public Policy Polling reported that 53% of New Hampshire voters support changing state law to regulate and tax marijuana similarly to alcohol, only 37% were opposed.

Including New Hampshire, there is now a total of six states considering legislation to fully legalize marijuana. It is imperative that your elected officials hear from you in support of this measure. If you live in one of the six states (Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) considering the legalization of marijuana for all adults, you can click on the appropriate link below and go directly to your state’s action alert. You can also click here to see if your state is considering any legislation pertaining to marijuana law reform.

If you are thinking of starting a  medicinal marijuana dispensary and need information on payment processing services click on the icon below:

Marijuana Legalized? Payment Processing Landscape Changing

Article by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

Members of Congress will introducehistoric legislation today to permit for the regulated production and retail sales of cannabis to adults in states that have legalized its consumption.

Representative Jared Polis, (D-CO) is sponsoring legislation that seeks to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.

Separate legislation to be introduced by Rep. Earl Bluemenauer (D-OR) seeks to establish a federal tax structure for retail cannabis production and sales.

Both Representatives, along with drug policy reform advocates, will discuss these measures at a teleconference this afternoon.

“When residents of Colorado and Washington voted to end their state’s prohibition on marijuana last November, it was a watershed moment for our nation’s move towards sane marijuana laws,” said NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri, who will be speaking at today’s teleconference. “But there remains a lingering conflict between state and federal law. These historic measures seek to resolve this conflict and empower states to dictate their own marijuana policies, without fear of federal incursion. NORML would like to thank the Congressmen for taking this brave step forward and encourages their colleagues in Congress to join them in calling for sensible marijuana law reform.”

Both Representatives have also released a report today outlining the need for federal marijuana law reform, titled “A Path Forward: Rethinking Federal Marijuana Policy.” The report states that “it is time for Congress to allow states and voters to decide how they want to treat marijuana. The current system is broken. It wastes resources and destroys individual lives, in turn damaging families and entire communities. It is past time to take action and stop this tragic waste in the future.”

Members of Congress will also call for the establishment of a Congressional Working Group on Sensible Drug Policy.

Do you run a medical marijuana dispensary? Get a merchant account by clicking on the icon below: