As cannabis delivery services expand across the United States in 2025, payment processing remains a complex issue due to federal restrictions. Despite cannabis being legal in many states, it remains a Schedule I substance federally, leading major banks and credit card companies to avoid the sector. Consequently, dispensaries and delivery services have adopted alternative payment methods to facilitate transactions while ensuring compliance and convenience: AllayPay Merchant Services
Traditional Credit Cards: Still Off-Limits
Major credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard continue to prohibit cannabis transactions, even with discussions around reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III. This stance forces dispensaries to seek alternative payment solutions: MarketWatch
Compliant Payment Solutions in 2025
1. ACH Transfers / Pay-by-Bank
Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers have become a primary method for cannabis payments. Services like Aeropay enable customers to link their bank accounts for direct payments, offering a compliant and cashless experience: C-Trax, Aeropay | A better way to move money
2. Cashless ATMs / Point-of-Banking
Cashless ATMs, also known as point-of-banking systems, allow customers to use debit cards to withdraw funds at the point of sale, which are then used for purchases. While not ideal, this method provides a workaround in the absence of traditional card processing: AllayPay Merchant Services, Flowhub
3. Digital Wallets and Mobile Apps
Apps like Spendr offer mobile payment solutions tailored for the cannabis industry. Spendr allows users to pay with their phones and earn rewards at participating dispensaries: Cannabis Payments & Rewards App | Spendr
Leading Cannabis Delivery Apps and Their Payment Methods
Eaze
Operating in states like California and Michigan, Eaze connects customers with licensed dispensaries, offering a seamless delivery experience. Eaze supports various payment methods, including ACH transfers and digital wallets: C-Trax
Weedmaps
Weedmaps serves as a comprehensive platform for finding dispensaries and delivery services. While primarily informational, some partnered services within Weedmaps support digital payments like ACH and mobile wallets: AppsRhino
Caliva
Based in California, Caliva offers a range of cannabis products with delivery options. They have integrated payment solutions that comply with state regulations, often utilizing ACH transfers and digital wallets: AppsRhino
Future Outlook
The cannabis industry’s payment landscape is evolving, with fintech companies developing solutions to bridge the gap left by traditional financial institutions. While federal restrictions pose challenges, the adoption of compliant payment methods like ACH transfers, cashless ATMs, and specialized digital wallets is facilitating smoother transactions for cannabis delivery services.
As cannabis delivery services expand across the United States in 2025, payment processing remains a complex issue due to federal restrictions. Despite cannabis being legal in many states, it remains a Schedule I substance federally, leading major banks and credit card companies to avoid the sector. Consequently, dispensaries and delivery services have adopted alternative payment methods to facilitate transactions while ensuring compliance and convenience: AllayPay Merchant Services