Apple Pay is undoubtedly one of the most convenient ways to pay today — but are there dispensaries that take Apple Pay? At first, many of us were skeptical about using our phones to pay with a credit card.
Now, we often find ourselves not even bothering to take our wallet out of the car when running errands and going shopping. There’s something satisfying (and especially easy) about using our phones to process payments without taking a physical card out of our wallets. Not to mention, having a quick log of all our charges without opening a separate app is pretty useful.
The rules and regulations for payments at dispensaries are a bit different from those for buying food at a grocery store, however. Below, let’s dive into what you need to know about shopping at dispensaries that take Apple Pay.
Do Dispensaries That Take Apple Pay Exist?
Unlike unregulated stores, dispensaries have many rules they must follow to remain in good standing (both locally and federally).
On a federal level, most dispensaries are unable to accept Apple Pay because major banks and credit card companies are cautious about processing cannabis-related transactions. While cannabis is legal in certain states, it is still illegal on a federal level — which is why many dispensaries are not comfortable offering Apple Pay as a payment option.
While the majority of dispensaries are steering clear of accepting Apple Pay for now, this could change if cannabis were to become federally legalized. For now, however, some dispensaries have found creative ways to accept Apple Pay and circumvent federal processing issues. With that in mind, it may be possible to find a local dispensary near you where you can still use Apple Pay to shop.
How Some Dispensaries Offer Apple Pay
Dispensaries that want to offer Apple Pay as a payment option to customers have found some workarounds to make this possible. For example, some businesses may partner with local credit card processors or banks that process cannabis-related charges. One way to do this is to use NFC (near-field communication), which allows customers to pay with Apple Pay using a local debit card.
Some cannabis dispensaries may also be able to offer Apple Pay by processing as a cashless ATM transaction, where the transaction is processed through an ATM, and the customer is given the difference in cash. This method, however, can get a little tricky for businesses and will involve a transaction fee for the shopper.
Some cannabis-specific apps (designed for issues like these) may also allow users to pay via Apple Pay and link directly to their bank account. Apps like these can only be used for shopping at dispensaries.
If a nearby dispensary offers Apple Pay as a payment option, don’t hesitate to ask them about any associated fees. If fees are high, it’s likely best to find a different payment method for your purchase.
How to Find Dispensaries That Take Apple Pay
If paying via Apple Pay at a dispensary is especially important to you, you’re not out of luck! The best way to determine whether an individual dispensary accepts Apple Pay is to check their website for the most up-to-date information. If information about payments isn’t posted on the site, you can also try calling the business.
Using the Flavor Fix dispensary map can help you locate nearby dispensaries. Once you’ve entered your location and identified nearby spots, click on their listings to be redirected to their website.
On the website, look for the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sections, which often discuss the various types of payment they accept. You may also see a “contact us” button to email or send a message, where you can ask if they accept Apple Pay. You can also check online reviews to see if any other customers have mentioned whether the business accepts Apple Pay.
Still not sure if your local dispensary will accept Apple Pay? While Apple Pay is certainly convenient, it’s always best to come prepared with another form of payment to avoid issues with your purchase.
