Customers are accustomed to paying with cards nearly everywhere they shop, yet marijuana remains illegal under federal law. As a result, dispensaries continue to face restrictions on the payment methods they can offer.

ATM outsourcing should do more than shift tasks. It should give community banks and credit unions confidence that someone is watching, responding and taking responsibility when problems occur.

If your dispensary suddenly couldn’t accept debit card payments in the Spring and Summer 2026, you weren’t alone. Many dispensaries found themselves operating as cash-only businesses with little or no advance warning.

I thought I was taking a summer job at the Louisiana State Capitol. Looking back, I realize it became an education that shaped every chapter of my career. From public policy and advocacy to marketing, partnerships, and executive communications, I learned that the best results don't begin with campaigns or presentations. They begin with curiosity, preparation, and understanding people. Those lessons continue to guide me more than 20 years later.