If you operate in the CBD industry, you already understand the highs and lows of running a “high-risk” business. You’ve built something meaningful — a brand that helps people feel better, live better, and trust nature again.
But behind every successful CBD company lies one make-or-break system that doesn’t get enough attention: payment processing.
Because no matter how great your products are, if your customers can’t pay you — or your funds get frozen — your business stops.
At Integrity Payment Processing, we’ve helped hundreds of founders avoid that outcome. What we’ve learned is simple: payment stability isn’t just a back-office detail — it’s a growth strategy.
1. Why Payment Infrastructure Matters for CBD Businesses
Many CBD operators start with whichever payment platform says “yes.” It’s understandable — options are limited, and quick approval feels like progress.
But that fast “yes” often hides deeper problems: tiered rates, random shutdowns, and limited support when things go wrong.
As Livia Caudell, CEO of Integrity Payment Processing, shared during her Nasdaq interview:
“High-risk doesn’t mean high fees — it means you need smart banking relationships. I work with over 20 banks, domestic and international, to make sure businesses can stay live and grow.”
The key is to build relationships and redundancy before you need them. A diversified processing network keeps revenue flowing even when one partner changes policy. That’s real resilience.
2. The Hidden Risks Most CBD Operators Overlook
Even compliant CBD merchants can be blindsided by what’s happening behind the scenes of their payment systems. Three common issues cause most disruptions:
Sudden Account Shutdowns
Banks and processors can shift internal policies without notice, cutting off merchants overnight. Maintain multiple processing relationships so one change doesn’t stop your business.
Tiered Pricing Traps
That “1.2% rate” might sound great, but after surcharges and downgrades, many CBD businesses pay closer to 3–4%. Choose transparent interchange-plus pricing and review your statements quarterly.
Documentation Gaps
Missing COAs, refund terms, or labeling information often trigger manual reviews and funding holds. Keeping documents updated signals credibility to risk teams and processors.
Risk disappears when you understand it. Awareness is your first layer of protection.
3. Know Your Numbers: How to Read a Merchant Statement
Your monthly merchant statement is one of your most valuable financial tools. It shows exactly where your money goes — and what’s costing you more than it should.
Here’s how to interpret it:
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- Effective Rate: Divide total fees by total sales and multiply by 100. If your quoted rate was 2.3% but you’re paying 3.1%, something’s wrong.
- Interchange vs. Markup: Interchange fees go to Visa or Mastercard. Markup is what your processor keeps. Always know both.
- Downgrades: If a transaction is labeled “non-qualified,” your rate increases. This often happens from late batching or missing data.
As Livia Caudell reminds clients:
“Every dollar matters, especially when margins are tight. Knowing where your money goes is how you stay in control.”
Transparency isn’t a feature — it’s financial protection.
4. Compliance and Labeling: Protecting Your CBD Brand
Payment processors, banks, and regulators all review your website and product labels before approving or maintaining accounts. Inconsistent or misleading content can cause shutdowns faster than chargebacks ever will.
Stay compliant and trustworthy with these basics:
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- List all ingredients and product potency
- Confirm THC content (≤ 0.3 percent)
- Include a batch number and COA QR code
- Avoid unapproved medical claims like “treats pain” or “reduces anxiety”
Instead, describe the experience: “soothing,” “calming,” “restorative.”
Compliance isn’t about limiting your creativity — it’s about ensuring your brand survives long enough to grow.
5. Scaling Smart: Turning Stability Into Growth
The most successful CBD brands understand that growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. And that design starts with stability.
When your payment systems are predictable, you can forecast revenue, plan inventory, and reinvest confidently. When your banks trust you, you gain faster settlements, better limits, and lower costs.
“High-risk doesn’t mean high fees — it means you need smart banking relationships.” – Livia Caudell
Stability isn’t the opposite of growth — it’s what makes growth possible.
Running a CBD business takes courage, persistence, and integrity. You deserve partners who share that same mindset — transparent, steady, and committed to your long-term success.
At Integrity Payment Processing, we don’t just help businesses accept payments. We help them build trust, protect profits, and scale with confidence.
Because “high-risk” doesn’t define your business — it defines your opportunity to build something that lasts.