ATACH Applauds Introduction of Small Business Disaster Relief Act
Legislation would prevent Federal Agencies from denying relief funds to the Cannabis Industry
Washington, D.C. – The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) today applauded the introduction of the Small Business Disaster Relief Equity Act in Congress. This new legislation would prevent federal agencies from denying disaster relief funds to state-legal cannabis businesses simply because they produce or sell cannabis. If enacted, they would allow retroactive applications for funding for any disaster that occurred after January 1, 2020.
In a letter dated April 28th, ATACH and the Policy Center for Public Health & Safety (“PH&S”) called on Congress to take action noting several large coronavirus relief packages had been passed including lending programs for impacted businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), however the cannabis industry was excluded from participating. That decision to bar the legal cannabis industry from these relief programs not only harms the longevity of the industry but also the hardworking Americans who rely on the industry for their livelihood.
“We thank the bill sponsors and applaud their efforts to help level the playing field for the cannabis industry, which is facing the same challenges businesses across industries and around the country are,” said Michael L. Bronstein, President of ATACH. “The reality is that an industry which was on track to exceed $15 billion in legal cannabis sales in 2020, pays millions in taxes and employs nearly 300,000 in direct and indirect jobs should be provided the same protections as any other businesses and industries.”
ATACH will continue to fight to make sure that Federal disaster relief funds are not denied for business involved with the Cannabis Industry.
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About ATACH
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) is the leading United States 501(c)(6) cannabis industry trade organization promoting the expansion and protection of legal sales of cannabis and hemp for industrial, medical, and adult use. ATACH has been named “Trade Association of the Year” and “Corporate Grassroots Organization of the Year” by Campaigns & Elections magazine. ATACH’s membership consists of the most influential businesses in the industry, fifteen organizational memorandum of understanding relationships with state level associations and national organizations.
