No, legal US cannabis stores cannot accept credit or debit cards from the major card brands, including Visa and MasterCard. Despite the many companies purportedly offering a high risk merchant account solution, when all the facts are considered, it’s against the card rules. By opening an account, cannabis shops risk a shut down with little or no notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can merchants accept credit cards for marijuana? No.<\/strong> Any company offering cannabis credit card processing is doing some type of hack that could get your merchant services shut down instantly once the card networks are fully informed of the activity. It\u2019s only a matter of time and how will that disrupt daily operations? For example, here\u2019s the stated rule in Visa Core Rules, April 2019:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An Acquirer must ensure \nthat a Merchant, Marketplace, Payment Facilitator, Sponsored Merchant, \nor Staged Digital Wallet Operator does not accept Visa Cards<\/strong> \nfor, or display a Visa-Owned Mark on a website and\/or application that \nis used in relation to, the purchase or trade of photographs, video \nimagery, computer-generated images, cartoons, simulation, \nproducts that claim or imply a similar efficacy as prescription drugs, \ncontrolled substances, or recreational\/street drugs, irrespective of \nclaims of legality <\/strong>or any other media or activities including, but not limited to, activities listed in Section X.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n MasterCard does not explicitly have a similar rule in their latest December 2018 rules of card acceptance, however, rules for Canada are explicitly outlined. Thereby, the implication for US is clear- not acceptable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are ways to accept non-cash payments and we can help. Read more about Cannabis credit card processing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Christine Speedy<\/a> difference.<\/strong> Don\u2019t get suckered by misleading guidance. Call someone who knows the rules. 954-942-0483, 9-5 ET.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" No, legal US cannabis stores cannot accept credit or debit cards from the major card brands, including Visa and MasterCard. Despite the many companies purportedly offering a high risk merchant account solution, when all the facts are considered, it’s against … Continue reading