This is a note from our sponsors.
If you’re running a CBD shop, you’ve probably heard this story (or maybe it’s even happened to you):
A retailer sets up with Square, Stripe, or another big-name payment processor. Sales are rolling in, and customers are happy. Then, out of the blue, the account gets frozen. No warning. No appeal. Just a generic email citing “policy violations”… and a backlog of angry customers who can’t check out.
This isn’t rare. And if you’ve been in the cannabis, CBD and hemp markets for a while, it’s not surprising.
Generic payment processors just aren’t built for CBD. You’re operating in a high-risk industry, whether regulators want to admit it or not – and treating your payment system like any other Shopify store is asking for trouble.
Why You Need a CBD-Specific Payment Solution
Traditional processors like Square and Stripe make billions serving mainstream businesses. CBD sales are a tiny sliver of their portfolio, and it shows in their policies, support, and pricing. Many won’t touch ingestibles; some flat-out ban CBD altogether. And those that do allow it? They’ll often charge 3.5% or more per transaction and still leave you vulnerable to chargebacks, shutdowns, and lackluster support that reads straight from a script.
What you need is a payment solution designed for the reality of CBD retail:
- Real-time support from people who understand your products
- Transparent pricing with no surprise fees
- Integration with your POS and inventory system
- Built-in compliance safeguards
- A future-proof setup in case you expand into THC
How to Choose the Right CBD Payment Processor
The right CBD payment-processing partner will treat you like more than a risk profile. Look for a processor that:
- Specializes in cannabis and CBD
- Offers fair, published prices (no shady contracts)
- Doesn’t force you to buy expensive hardware
- Has live support – no chatbots
- Can scale with you as your business grows
To help you navigate the landscape, we’ve reviewed the top payment processors for CBD retailers: what they do well, where they fall short, and what kind of business they’re best suited for.
Review: Top 5 CBD Payment Processors on the Market Right Now — Read the Full Breakdown Here.
About Cova
Cova is an award-winning POS for Cannabis, CBD and Hemp businesses. We didn’t start in CBD, but we’ve always been in cannabis. Since 2017, we’ve been helping dispensaries and hemp retailers succeed in one of the most complex, fast-changing industries out there.
We built our POS and payment platforms specifically for this space – where compliance matters, chargebacks sting, and traditional tech just doesn’t cut it. And we back it with live, cannabis-trained support that’s ready when you need it.
Whether you’re selling gummies, topicals, or tinctures – or you’re preparing for THC sales in your state – Cova gives you the tools you need to stay compliant, efficient, and focused on growth.
