Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi defended the decision to include cannabis banking protections in the Democrats’ latest coronavirus stimulus bill, following strong criticisms by Republicans. As part of the $3 trillion stimulus bill, the provision would allow legal marijuana businesses to access banking services.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the provision earlier this week, saying it wasn’t “directly related” to the coronavirus response. Pelosi responded to those charges Friday and what she called “misrepresentation” in the Republicans’ proposed relief package.

“I don’t agree with you that cannabis is not related to this,” Pelosi said at a Friday press conference. “This is a therapy that has proven successful.”

Nancy Pelosi Calls Cannabis ‘A Therapy That Has Proven Successful’ During Pandemic