The State of Cannabis and Hemp Banking for 2026: Rescheduling, Descheduling, and the Future of Financial Compliance
Where cannabis regulation meets financial services compliance.
A pragmatic look at where cannabis and hemp banking is heading in 2026, covering rescheduling, descheduling, intoxicating cannabis, and the evolving expectations of federal and state regulators for financial institutions serving the industry.
Featured Speakers & Panelists
Featuring 2 practitioners whose combined expertise spans the critical dimensions of this topic.
Partner at Cogent Law with more than a decade in cannabis and hemp banking. Former General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer, and BSA Officer who built and scaled a financial institution's cannabis and hemp banking program into a significant revenue source.
Steven Kemmerling
Founder & CEO
CRB Monitor
Founder and CEO of CRB Monitor, a leading source of data and analysis on cannabis-related businesses for financial institutions.
Key Takeaways
- How rescheduling and descheduling scenarios would reshape compliance obligations for banks and credit unions serving cannabis-related businesses.
- Where intoxicating cannabis fits into the current federal and state regulatory landscape and what that means for financial institution risk.
- What examiners are prioritizing in 2026 for BSA/AML programs tied to cannabis accounts.
- How to evaluate program scalability, revenue potential, and enterprise risk in a shifting regulatory environment.
- Practical steps for financial institutions preparing policy, procedure, and training updates ahead of federal policy changes.
Designed For
- Executives and directors at community banks and credit unions with cannabis programs.
- Chief Risk Officers, Chief Compliance Officers, and BSA Officers.
- Commercial lenders and credit teams underwriting cannabis-related businesses.
- General Counsel and in-house regulatory attorneys.
- Cannabis operators seeking to understand how banking partners evaluate the market.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET (45-minute discussion + 15-minute Q&A)
Where: Virtual Event — Free to Attend
As the cannabis industry stands on the brink of federal change, financial institutions face new questions about risk, regulation, and opportunity. With the DEA's pending rescheduling decision — and whispers of full descheduling — banks, credit unions, and compliance professionals must navigate a rapidly evolving landscape that could redefine cannabis and hemp banking.
Join Chris Van Dyck, Attorney at Cogent Law, and Steven Kemmerling, Founder & CEO of CRB Monitor, for a live 60-minute discussion exploring how federal developments, state action, and ongoing regulatory uncertainty are reshaping the future of cannabis finance.
This session unpacks what rescheduling could mean for FinCEN guidance, how intoxicating cannabis continues to blur compliance lines, and where financial institutions can find opportunity in the midst of regulatory ambiguity. The conversation is a fireside-style discussion with limited slides, offering candid insights from two leading voices in cannabis compliance and financial regulation.
Attendees Will Learn
- What federal rescheduling and potential descheduling could mean for financial institutions and cannabis-related businesses (CRBs).
- Whether these changes might prompt FinCEN to revise its long-standing guidance.
- Why the SAFER Banking Act may not be the regulatory fix many expect.
- How FFIEC provisions could shape examiner expectations and compliance frameworks in 2026.
- Why intoxicating cannabis products have created new compliance headaches, and how institutions can manage the risk.
- How the 2018 Farm Bill loophole and the pending Farm Spending Bill impact cannabis regulation and enforcement.
- The latest state-level developments, including Governor Abbott's Texas cannabis executive order, influencing banking policy nationwide.
- Practical strategies for mitigating risk and maintaining compliance amid uncertainty.
Who Should Attend
- Compliance officers and BSA professionals.
- Bank and credit union executives.
- Policy analysts and legal advisors.
- Cannabis industry service providers.
- Financial technology and RegTech professionals.
Presented by Cogent Law and CRB Monitor. Virtual Event — Free to Attend.
Prefer to talk directly about how these changes affect your institution? Contact Cogent Law or call 202-644-8880.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All Cogent Law webinars are complimentary and open to qualified professionals.
Yes. Registrants receive a link to the recording after the session. Past recordings can also be requested through our site.
Executives, compliance officers, general counsel, and operators in regulated industries — particularly cannabis, banking, and fintech.
Absolutely. You may submit questions during registration or reach us directly at contact@cogentlaw.com.
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Explore Our ServicesKey Takeaways
Attendees will gain actionable insights on the following:
- How rescheduling and descheduling scenarios would reshape compliance obligations for banks and credit unions serving cannabis-related businesses.
- Where intoxicating cannabis fits into the current federal and state regulatory landscape and what that means for financial institution risk.
- What examiners are prioritizing in 2026 for BSA/AML programs tied to cannabis accounts.
- How to evaluate program scalability, revenue potential, and enterprise risk in a shifting regulatory environment.
- Practical steps for financial institutions preparing policy, procedure, and training updates ahead of federal policy changes.
Designed For
This session is structured for professionals who need to stay ahead of regulatory and strategic developments:
Featured Speakers
This session brings together 2 distinguished practitioners whose combined expertise spans the critical dimensions of this topic.
Partner at Cogent Law with more than a decade in cannabis and hemp banking. Former General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer, and BSA Officer who built and scaled a financial institution's cannabis and hemp banking program into a significant revenue source.
Steven Kemmerling
Founder & CEO
CRB Monitor
Founder and CEO of CRB Monitor, a leading source of data and analysis on cannabis-related businesses for financial institutions.
Related Practice Area
Learn more about our servicesPractice Areas
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