Political and financial obstacles surrounding cannabis companies with Ray Lehmann, director of finance, insurance and trade policy for R Street. Today, we speak about the legal and political and financial obstacles surrounding cannabis companies and their access to banking solutions. R Street is a non-profit public policy research organization that supports free markets; limited, effective government; and responsible environmental stewardship. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with five regional offices across the country. R.J. was a co-founder of R Street in June 2012, having previously served as deputy director of the Heartland Institute’s Center on Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate. Before joining Heartland, he spent nearly a decade covering the insurance and financial services industries, first as manager of A.M. Best Co.’s Washington bureau and later as a senior industry editor with SNL Financial (now S&P Global Market Intelligence). Earlier in his career, R.J. held a variety of positions in the fields of journalism and public relations, including managing editor of the Elizabeth Gazette, Hillside Leader, Springfield Leader, Mountainside Echo and Palm Beach Jewish News; associate editor with Travel Weekly; staff writer with the Ocean County Observer; media relations specialist with Lockheed Martin IMS; and public affairs director of the Independent Institute.