Cannabis Banking: Legal Frameworks and Practical Solutions for Cultivating Compliance
Written by ACB co-founders Erin O’Donnell, J. Michael Beird, and Meridith Beird, this Wiley-published book is a practical guide for the financial institutions, compliance teams, risk professionals, fintechs, cannabis operators, and service providers navigating cannabis finance.
The book helps demystify cannabis banking, compliance, risk, lending, payments, financial access, and operational considerations in one of the most complex areas of financial services.
Why this book matters
Cannabis banking is no longer a fringe operational issue. It touches compliance, BSA/AML, payments, lending, risk management, financial access, customer due diligence, legal documentation, and institutional strategy.
- Helps readers understand the cannabis banking landscape and financial access challenges.
- Connects cannabis banking to compliance, risk, payments, lending, and operational realities.
- Provides practical context for banks, credit unions, fintechs, compliance professionals, and cannabis-related businesses.
- Supports ACB’s broader education ecosystem of webinars, certifications, standards, resources, and live events.
Who should read it?
The book is designed for professionals who need to understand the legal, operational, regulatory, and business realities of cannabis banking.
Banks & credit unions
For institutions evaluating, launching, supervising, or expanding cannabis banking and high-risk customer programs.
Compliance & risk teams
For professionals responsible for BSA/AML, due diligence, risk assessment, monitoring, documentation, and examiner readiness.
Cannabis businesses & partners
For CRBs, fintechs, payments providers, attorneys, accountants, insurance firms, and service providers supporting the market.
Reviewed, recognized, and built for practical use.
ACB materials note that the book has been reviewed by the Financial Times, received Amazon 5-star reviews, and earned #1 category highlights in areas tied to accounting standards, banking, and marijuana cultivation.
What reviewers are saying
The book has been highlighted as practical, timely, and useful for professionals trying to make sense of cannabis banking’s legal and operational complexity.
Financial Times
The Financial Times review describes the book as a sincere, practical guide that helps demystify a fast-growing and legally complex cannabis banking sector.
Reader reviews
Readers have given this book 5 stars on Amazon.
Policy perspective
New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero praised the authors for addressing cannabis banking and offering practical guidance for practitioners and policymakers.
Topics covered
The book connects cannabis banking to the core questions financial professionals face when serving cannabis-related businesses.
- Understanding the cannabis industry and cannabis business models
- Banking regulation, compliance frameworks, and BSA/AML expectations
- Risk management for cannabis bankers
- Payments, lending, competition, marketing, and insurance considerations
- Tribal considerations, innovation, and future trends in cannabis finance
Frequently asked questions
Is this book connected to ACB education?
Yes. The book supports ACB’s broader mission to provide cannabis banking education, certifications, standards, resources, and events for professionals working in cannabis financial services.
Is the book only for bankers?
No. It is useful for banks, credit unions, compliance teams, lenders, fintechs, payments providers, cannabis-related businesses, attorneys, accountants, insurers, and other service providers working with the cannabis industry.
Where can I buy the book?
The book is available through Amazon and Wiley. Use the buttons on this page to view current purchase options.
Can this book support staff training?
Yes. The book can serve as a practical reference alongside ACB webinars, certifications, membership resources, and live education.
Use the book as your gateway into ACB’s cannabis banking education ecosystem.
Read the book, explore the 2026 Education Catalog, enroll in a certification, or become an ACB member for year-round cannabis banking education and resources.