With the explosive growth of hemp-derived cannabinoids, Delta-8 THC and CBD have become staple products in smoke shops, vape stores, wellness boutiques, and online platforms. However, when it comes to credit card processing and merchant account services, businesses selling these items face a unique challenge: they’re considered high-risk by banks and processors.
IHere, we’ll eak down what Delta-8 THC and CBD are, why they’re flagged as high-risk, and how retailers and ecommerce sellers can find reliable, cost-effective credit card processing solutions tailored to their needs. The most important thing to know is we do support Delta Eight CBD / Hemp sellers for processing credit cards like visa, mastercard, amex and discover. If you are a CBD retailer or a smoke shop we will get you approved with a reputable bank that accepts legal / licensed hemp and cbd businesses. Call us or for faster approval, click here to apply now.
Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp. It’s chemically similar to Delta-9 THC—the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana—but produces milder effects. While Delta-9 is explicitly regulated under federal law, Delta-8 THC is generally considered federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, provided it’s derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid also derived from hemp. It’s used in everything from gummies to lotions to tinctures. While widely available, CBD is not FDA-approved as a dietary supplement, and that creates additional complications with payment processors.
Most mainstream payment processors (Stripe, Square, PayPal, Shopify Payments) do not support Delta-8 or CBD transactions. Why? Several reasons:
Regulatory Uncertainty: Laws governing Delta-8 THC vary by state, and the FDA has issued warnings about CBD product marketing.
Chargebacks and Compliance: Cannabinoid products often face high chargeback rates due to customer misunderstandings, shipping delays, or disputed effects.
Reputational Risk: Banks and processors may fear associations with cannabis or quasi-legal substances, even if the products are hemp-derived and lawful.
Age Verification and Online Sales: Minors attempting to buy Delta-8 or CBD online can expose businesses and processors to liability.
Because of this, traditional banks and processors categorize Delta-8 and CBD sellers under the “high-risk” label, meaning you’ll need a specialized high-risk merchant account.
Not all processors are created equal—especially when dealing with high-risk categories like hemp-derived products. When searching for a payment solution, look for:
Choose a provider that actively works with CBD and Delta-8 merchants. They should understand the legal and compliance nuances involved and already have banking relationships established for this niche.
Many “CBD processors” rely on offshore banks, which come with higher fees, longer funding times, and more complex underwriting. A U.S.-based solution like we offer,offers faster deposits, better chargeback management, and fewer compliance headaches.
Watch out for hidden fees and confusing tiered pricing. A reputable processor like CBD Oil Merchant Account, We offer:
Per transaction fees (e.g., 3.50% + 20¢)
Monthly account fees
Chargeback fees
Rolling reserve (if any)
We will easily setup the merchant account to ingerate with your current setup:
In-store POS systems (e.g., Clover, Pax, Dejavoo)
Ecommerce platforms (e.g., WooCommerce, Shopify [via third-party gateway], BigCommerce, etc.)
CRM tools and recurring billing (if you offer subscriptions)
Because major gateways like Stripe and PayPal restrict cannabinoid-related products, We can set you up easily with the following gateways:
NMI Gateway – Highly customizable and integrates with most shopping carts and POS systems
Authorize.net (via high-risk ISO) – Can work for CBD merchants when set up through a specialized provider
USAePay – Known for reliability and good reporting tools
High-risk platforms like DigiPay or Easy Pay Direct – Tailored solutions for hemp-derived product sellers
Some platforms (like Shopify) allow CBD sales but require you to use a third-party gateway such as NMI or Authorize.net through an approved high-risk processor. We Support Both!
Getting approved isn’t impossible—it just requires more paperwork. Be prepared to submit with your online application for cbd credit card processing:
Valid government-issued ID
Business formation documents (LLC, EIN, etc.)
Voided business check or bank letter
Your website URL (must include Terms, Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, Age Gate, etc.)
Product COAs (Certificates of Analysis)
Fulfillment and shipping timelines
Pro tip: Make sure your website content is compliant—don’t make health claims like “CBD cures anxiety” or “Delta-8 treats chronic pain.” That’s a red flag for underwriters.
Even if you're approved, your rates may be higher than standard retailers. To keep costs down:
Use batch capture to avoid daily micro-settlements
Keep chargebacks under 1% by using detailed receipts, tracking, and customer support
Avoid international sales unless your processor explicitly supports them
Make sure your product descriptions don’t resemble Delta-9 products or illegal claims
Selling Delta-8 THC and CBD products legally doesn’t mean you have to suffer through unreliable payment processing. With the right high-risk merchant account, you can accept credit cards online and in-store with the same ease and professionalism as any other business. Its easy to get started by applying here.
Don’t settle for a processor that doesn’t understand your product. Work with a merchant services provider who specializes in hemp-derived cannabinoids, and you’ll save time, money, and headaches down the road.