Colorado’s marijuana businesses should be eligible for federal coronavirus aid, Polis tells Congress

Colorado’s cannabis industry is allowed to remain open to provide “critical” services during the coronavirus pandemic, but because marijuana is a federally controlled substance, dispensaries and other businesses are ineligible to receive stimulus funds to help offset the economic impacts caused by COVID-19. Many say they’re struggling. Gov. Jared Polis, however, is hoping to lend a helping hand. On Monday, Polis sent a letter to Rep. Jason Crow, D-Aurora, a member of the House Small Business Committee, urging the committee to reconsider allowing cannabis businesses to apply for federal aid. “Unfortunately, a large number of small businesses in Colorado are not eligible for these loans due to their involvement in the state-legal cannabis industry, which is a major employer and tax revenue generator in our state,” Polis wrote. RELATED: Frequently asked questions about coronavirus in Colorado The implications of this reach wider than marijuana dispensaries, cultivations and manufacturers in a legal state, Polis argued, since Small Business Administration loans for coronavirus disaster relief are not available to ancillary businesses, such as legal and consulting firms, that serve the industry either. Related Articles Colorado state-run veterans homes report no cases of novel coronavirus among residents Colorado confirms 329 coronavirus deaths as hospitalizations surpass 1,500 Immigration advocates petition for release of 14 people from Aurora ICE detention facility As many as 21 residents of a Greeley nursing home have died of coronavirus Will summer actually slow the spread of coronavirus? “As you can imagine, there are hundreds of Colorado companies that fall into…

Excerpt only …
READ MORE BELOW
Source : Denver Post
Link to original : Colorado’s marijuana businesses should be eligible for federal coronavirus aid, Polis tells Congress
reposted by Cannabis News World