**Why it matters:** Two former NFL players, Jim McMahon and Kyle Turley, are hinting at a presidential run in which they would advocate for a banking bill for legal marijuana businesses and raise awareness about the benefits of cannabis. They are specifically pushing for support of the SAFER Banking Act, which would provide cannabis companies access to traditional banking services, and have expressed their desire to bring attention to issues in the country.
**What they are saying:** McMahon and Turley aim to promote the cannabis plant and fair banking practices. They believe their campaign could gain votes solely based on their cannabis advocacy. McMahon also shared his views on immigration, homelessness, taxation, and spending policy, suggesting that addressing these issues would be part of their campaign as well.
**The big picture:** The SAFER Banking Act, which aims to remove barriers to financial services for cannabis companies, has been passed by the Senate Banking Committee and awaits consideration by the full Senate. Currently, many cannabis businesses struggle to access bank accounts and financial services due to strict federal regulations. McMahon and Turley’s campaign may raise the profile of the cannabis industry and push for change in the banking sector.
**What to watch:** Keep an eye on the progress of the SAFER Banking Act in the Senate and whether McMahon and Turley’s campaign gains traction. It will also be interesting to see if their advocacy efforts help shift public opinion on cannabis and influence the policies of other politicians.
**My take:** McMahon and Turley are using their platform as former NFL players to advocate for the cannabis industry and address the banking challenges faced by legal marijuana businesses. While their campaign may face challenges, their prominent roles in the sports world could bring attention to the benefits of cannabis and contribute to changing attitudes and policies surrounding the industry.
