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The federal regulator overseeing the credit union industry said lenders he oversees won’t be punished for providing services to marijuana businesses in compliance with state laws.

In an interview with Credit Union Times, National Credit Union Administration Chairman Rodney Hood called it a “business decision” if a credit union wanted to work with a marijuana business, provided it complied with money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act, safety and soundness and other rules.

While not an explicit change of policy, Hood’s comments could entice some credit unions in states that have legalized recreational or medical marijuana to provide services to state-licensed companies in those fields. Many states’ marijuana industries have faced challenge accessing banking services, as the federal Justice Department can still prosecute lenders working with those businesses.

The state late last year announced the names and locations of nine new medical marijuana dispensary facilities, bringing Connecticut’s total to 18, plus four existing producers. The state has over 30,000 medical marijuana patients, up from 8,228 in January 2016. A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office found that banking marijuana could be a $1.45 billion business for banks and credit unions.