Year-End Legal Update: Cannabis Banking

December 17, 2025 | Live | 1PM EST | 90 Minutes

With the recent signing of H.R. 5371, federal lawmakers have moved to close the “hemp loophole” created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which fueled the rapid rise of the unregulated intoxicating hemp market. This change is expected to trigger significant realignment across both the hemp and state-legal cannabis industries. For banks and credit unions serving (or exploring entry into) these markets, understanding the legal, operational, and compliance implications is critical. In this timely webinar, Jason Tarasek, Partner at Vicente LLP, joins Green Check experts to offer a legal perspective on the current state of cannabis banking and help break down what H.R. 5371 means for financial institutions. 

Topics Covered Include:

  • The legal outlook for cannabis banking in 2026
  • Expert summary of H.R. 5371: purpose, key provisions, and timeline
  • Understanding regulated cannabis versus unregulated intoxicating hemp
  • How H.R. 5371 could reshape the intoxicating-hemp industry
  • Potential legal and economic impacts for the state legal cannabis industry
  • How financial institutions can prepare for the shift
  • How potential ‘rescheduling’ could impact this change

As always, each webinar ends with a participant Q&A, so you can ask the questions most relevant to your institution. 

Takeaways

  • Copies of all presentation materials
  • 90-day access to the recording 

Who Should Attend:

  • Board members
  • CEO
  • CFO
  • Compliance and risk officers
  • Branch operations managers
  • Business development teams
  • Lending officers
  • Marketing and communications teams
MEET OUR

Presenters

Jason Tarasek

Partner, Vicente LLP

As a cannabis policy advocate, Jason has spent many hours at the Minnesota State Capitol. In 2022, Jason successfully lobbied in favor of Minnesota’s “edible cannabinoid product” law, which sparked an explosion in the popularity of hemp-derived THC beverages throughout Minnesota and the United States. In 2023, he advocated for Minnesota’s passage of an adult-use cannabis bill. Today, Jason continues to strive for sensible policy as Minnesota implements its adult-use cannabis program while expanding its trailblazing hemp-derived THC beverage industry.

Jason is a frequent speaker on legal issues related to cannabis and has served as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline Law School, where he co-taught a seminar titled “Marijuana and the Law.” He has been repeatedly named to the Super Lawyers list, an honor bestowed on only the top 5% of attorneys in Minnesota.

Angela Arnett-Corson

Director, Education & Training, Green Check

Angela Arnett-Corson has over 30 years in Information Technology and Security, including both Executive IT Management and IT Audit and Compliance. Angela’s primary focus throughout her career has been within the financial services industry, helping institutions through; systems implementation and oversight, IT strategic planning, risk management, IT general controls, regulatory compliance, internal and external auditing of both private and public entities. Angela is new to the Green Check team, but her experience will be an asset in her new role overseeing the Green Check education and training programs.

Stacy Litke

VP, Banking Programs, Green Check

Stacy Litke is VP of Banking Programs at Green Check Verified with decades of experience in the financial services industry.  Time spent in retail, lending, operations, and technology — and from the seats of a community banker, fintech executive, and consultant — has provided Stacy with a comprehensive view of the industry.  Prior to joining Green Check, Stacy was SVP of Operations for a Massachusetts-based, $900 million institution.  Today, she uses her collective experience to help financial institutions with compliant cannabis banking programs.