In the evolving landscape of legalized cannabis, dispensaries have faced persistent hurdles in offering convenient and secure payment options. Traditional banking restrictions and harsh policies from major payment networks have long relegated the industry to cash-only transactions—or the controversial use of cashless ATMs. However, innovative fintech platforms such as Aeropay and CanPay are changing the game by bringing compliant, bank-to-bank, digital payments both in-store and online.
The Old Way: Cash Was King
For years, dispensaries relied heavily on cash, burdening operations with logistical headaches: counting errors, cash handling risks, theft, and frequent court-insurance complications. Cashless ATMs emerged as a workaround, disguising product charges as ATM withdrawals—until Visa and Mastercard began cracking down, citing regulatory violations. The message was clear: the industry needed better, fully compliant solutions.
CanPay: Debit via ACH, No Fees for Consumers
Founded in 2016 by Dustin Eide in Littleton, Colorado, CanPay has become a leading debit payment app for cannabis purchases. Users link a checking account and generate a unique QR‑based PIN at checkout. The funds flow via ACH directly to the merchant, and consumers incur no fees—while merchants pay a transaction fee of under 2%. The app also supports RemotePay, enabling prepayment for curbside pickup or delivery orders by scanning a code or link online.
Today, CanPay reaches thousands of dispensaries across 36 states and has facilitated over $1 billion in cannabis transactions.
Aeropay: Speed, Integration & Omnichannel Flexibility
Launched in 2017, Aeropay provides a seamless, bank-to-bank payment platform that integrates both in-store and delivery operations. Customers link their bank accounts via ACH through Aeropay’s Aerosync service—supporting over 12,000 banks—with no sensitive data required. Payment is completed via a QR code scan or online web checkout, making it compatible with point-of-sale systems like Flowhub.
For dispensaries, Aeropay processes payments instantly or next‑day, offers tipping options, and supports pre‑payment with integrated delivery logistics. Though merchant fees average 2.5% plus $0.25 per transaction, there are no charges for customers.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CanPay | Aeropay |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer fee | None | None |
| Merchant fee | < 2% ACH | 2.5% + $0.25 per tx |
| Payment method | QR‑based debit (ACH) | QR‑scan or online ACH |
| Prepay support | RemotePay for online/delivery orders | Pre‑payment links, delivery integration |
| Bank coverage | Compliant banks in 36 states | Over 12,000 banks, national coverage |
| POS integration | Limited to partnered systems | Integrates with Flowhub & others |
Why Dispensaries Are Switching
- Compliance & reliability: Both platforms offer ACH-based transfers compliant under FinCEN guidelines, avoiding credit card restrictions.
- Enhanced cashflow & safety: Automated settlements reduce cash-handling risk and operational overhead. Delivery orders, in particular, benefit from prepaid options.
- Consumer convenience: Users appreciate contactless QR payments, faster checkouts, and the absence of cash or ATM fees. Reddit users note: “CanPay would probably be good in a pinch… link directly to your Mobile banking…”
Cap on Cashless ATMs Sparks Uptake
Retailers are rapidly moving away from cashless ATMs due to regulatory pressure. As Visa warnings intensify, compliant ACH solutions like Aeropay and CanPay are filling the gap—enabling dispensaries to ditch risky workarounds and future-proof their operations.
In summary, Aeropay and CanPay are ushering in a new era of cashless, compliant, and integrated payment solutions across in-store and delivery channels. By removing the cash bottleneck, they not only streamline checkout experiences and improve safety, but they’re also vital in helping dispensaries thrive in a rapidly professionalizing market.