Pubdate: Fri, 02 May 2014 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: D. Dalsbo Page: 19A MAKE BANKING LEGAL FOR POT TRADE Re: "DEA agents raid 4 reopened pot sites," May 1 news story. Recent seizures at four medical marijuana businesses in Colorado for money laundering from Colombian sources only reinforce the need for the banks to be involved in this new industry. Marijuana businesses are not allowed by federal law to work with banks, and because of this they are cash heavy, which increases the opportunity to launder money. The government needs to make banking immediately available so that there will be accountability and regulatory rules for this new industry. It makes sense to have the most comprehensive regulations and oversight in place to make this a legal mainstream business. Colorado and the federal government need to sit down together and come to a consensus on this issue. D. Dalsbo, Longmont - --- MAP posted-by: Matt