TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida candidate for agriculture commissioner says Wells Fargo terminated her campaign account because she supports medical cannabis.
Democrat Nikki Fried said Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, that the banking giant started asking questions about her platform after she joined the statewide race: Does she advocate more access to medical cannabis? Would she accept contributions from medical marijuana lobbyists?
Fried responded in July 2018 that she herself had lobbied for medical cannabis companies, and received contributions from lobbyists. Then, just weeks before the primary election Aug. 28, 2018, Wells Fargo said it was shutting down her account, based on a review of its banking risks.
Florida voters legalized medical cannabis in 2016 with 71 percent voting in favor of Amendment 2, but banks are reluctant to do business with an industry that remains illegal under federal law.
Wells Fargo had no immediate comment.
