By Lance Ott, Guardian Data Systems (WA)

A key mission of NCIA is ensuring equal access to banking. Cannabis providers must be afforded the same banking and financial services as any other legitimate business. NCIA has never had a board member with a background in banking and payment processing. I hope to assist NCIA in its efforts by applying my 14 years of banking and payment processing experience as a Certified Payment Professional. We face increasing governmental scrutiny and regulation as well as increased security and compliance requirements; I will strive to bring clarity to the myriad of rules and proposed legislation that has been thrust on our emerging industry.

Guardian Data Systems is a leading provider of electronic transaction processing and services. As a Sustaining Member of NCIA we center our business on assisting our clients to achieve their financial goals through the use of our leading payment processing tools and our financial relationships in the industry. We are also an advocate for our business in the industry and seek to help influence its direction by taking an active part in the legislation and laws that are being developed to shape our industry. Our team, some of whom have over 30 years in the banking and payment industry, actively monitors the merchant acquiring industry and provides leadership through education, advocacy, and the exchange of real information.

Payment professionals need to have unique knowledge of the cannabis industry as well as the challenges and laws shaping its future. They must identify pitfalls and unscrupulous providers, operations keeping business owners safe from prosecution or fines, products and solutions that help maximize their business potential, as well as risk, regulatory, compliance and security matters.

Guardian Data Systems is committed to the cannabis industry and to delivering the truth in this tumultuous growth period of the industry. A key question that we should be asking is “What can we do to protect our members and their businesses?” Guardian Data Systems hopes to help answer those questions as part of the NCIA board.

See the full Board of Directors Voter Guide here.