CANNABIS Banking and financial services iN

Access secure, compliant business banking and specialized financial services in Puerto Rico with Safe Harbor—the platform built exclusively for cannabis operators.

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Safe Harbor is the established leader in cannabis banking and financial services in Puerto Rico, with more than $26 billion in funds processed since launching the nation’s first compliant program in 2015.

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We serve Puerto Rico’s legal cannabis community, including cultivators, processors, dispensaries, secure transporters, and testing laboratories, with full-service solutions built around licensed operators’ needs. Our foundation is in cannabis business banking, offering checking accounts, cash flow support, lending, digital payments, and mobile banking, all delivered with unmatched compliance expertise.

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Beyond banking, Safe Harbor provides a full suite of financial services to help operators stay financially healthy and grow. These include back-office operations support, compliance and audit preparation, financial reporting, strategic advisory, and CFO-level guidance. Every service is designed to meet the regulatory demands and operational realities of cannabis businesses across Puerto Rico.

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COMPLIANT BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR CANNABIS OPERATORS IN

Smarter Banking

Compliant, interest-bearing accounts with checking, mobile banking, payments, and secure cash logistics—built to meet the needs of cannabis businesses.
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Financial Services

Bookkeeping, accounting, tax support, and CFO-level guidance tailored to cannabis-specific operations.
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Flexible Lending

Real estate financing and working capital solutions, purpose-built for cannabis operators at every stage of growth.
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BUSINESS BENEFITS

Reduce costs and streamline operations with preferred access and pricing on payroll, HR, insurance, legal, marketing, and more, available through our vetted Safe Harbor Advantage partner network.
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Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico has not legalized recreational cannabis. Possession, sale, and cultivation for non-medical use remain illegal and subject to criminal penalties under territorial law.

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Medical cannabis was legalized in 2015 through an executive order, later formalized under Act 42 of 2017. Patients with qualifying conditions—including cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, anxiety disorders, and others—may obtain a physician’s certification and register with the Puerto Rico Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board. Registered patients can purchase flower, edibles, oils, tinctures, topicals, and capsules from licensed dispensaries. Smoking cannabis flower is prohibited, but vaporization is allowed. Home cultivation for medical patients is not permitted.

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The medical cannabis program is regulated by the Puerto Rico Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board. Licensed businesses include cultivators, manufacturers, testing laboratories, and dispensaries. Products must meet strict testing, labeling, and packaging standards, and sales are restricted to registered patients and caregivers.

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Hemp cultivation and hemp-derived products are legal under federal and territorial law, provided they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Hemp-derived CBD is widely available, but intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC are restricted and subject to cannabis program regulations when sold for human consumption.

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For cannabis operators, Puerto Rico’s market is centered on medical sales, with opportunities in cultivation, manufacturing, and retail dispensaries. Licensed operators seeking banking or financial services must provide state-issued licensing documentation, ownership records, tax IDs, operating agreements, and financial statements. Because cannabis remains federally restricted, financial institutions require armored cash transport, reconciled deposit schedules, AML/BSA monitoring, and audit-ready recordkeeping. Proper tax compliance with excise and sales taxes is essential to maintaining banking relationships.

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The Puerto Rico Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board oversees the program. For official licensing resources, compliance requirements, and program updates, visit: https://www.salud.pr.gov/pages/cannabis.aspx

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What type of cannabis businesses do you work with in Puerto Rico?
Are Safe Harbor banking and financial services compliant?
What other financial services do you offer to Puerto Rico cannabis businesses?
How long does it take to open a cannabis banking account in Puerto Rico?