Ever wondered if Shopify or Lightspeed could truly power your cannabis dispensary? With all the praise these big-name retail POS systems get, it’s tempting to think they could fit seamlessly into your shop. But working in cannabis retail comes with its own special brand of curveballs: payment processing nightmares, dizzying compliance rules, and ever-watchful regulators. So let’s get real - can you actually use these platforms for your dispensary, or is there a smarter route?
Shopify has a lot going for it, especially if you love sleek e-commerce and endless app integrations. It’s even been allowed by regulators like Ontario’s AGCO. But here’s the catch: Shopify won’t process cannabis transactions itself. Sure, you can track inventory and create an eye-catching site, but when it comes time for your customers to checkout with cannabis in their carts, you’re on your own. You have to patch together a separate, compliant payment provider - meaning more work, more cost, and more ways things can go sideways. Ask around and you’ll hear it - retail experts know that Shopify’s real weakness for dispensaries is payments.
If you’re after a system where everything “just works,” Shopify is more of a solid sidekick than a superhero for serious cannabis businesses. Some dispensaries learned this the hard way and now often turn to Cova POS for built-in reporting, age verification, and automated purchase limit controls.
Lightspeed’s no stranger to the world of retail, and they’ve tried to make inroads in cannabis with some specialized features. But the problem? Lightspeed isn’t built from the ground up for the compliance-heavy, payments-tricky reality of running a dispensary. It’s an amazing retail system - just not one made for weed. You’ll need to plug in a third-party solution to handle payment processing and help with compliance. The whole situation quickly gets tangled, with extra integrations to manage and more expenses nipping at your budget.
Bottom line: you can make Lightspeed work…if you’ve got IT help and a lot of patience. Otherwise, you’ll spend too much time troubleshooting and wondering, "Did I miss something important?"
If there’s one word that rules the cannabis world, it’s compliance. Unlike sneaker shops or cafes, dispensaries are expected to:
Traditional POS systems, including Shopify and Lightspeed, were never really built with any of this in mind. Trying to force compliance through off-the-shelf retail tech is a bit like running a marathon in flip-flops - technically possible, but rarely a good idea.
Here’s where things often go sideways for newbie dispensary owners. Federal rules mean major banks and credit card companies avoid cannabis transactions. In this climate, dispensaries are left relying on "high-risk" payment processors, who often come with sky-high fees and questionable practices. Got a provider promising direct credit card processing for marijuana? Stop and ask questions, because chances are, there’s a gray area lurking.
Try to hack mainstream retail POS for dispensary sales and you’ll quickly wind up juggling multiple partners, manual reconciliation, and late-night compliance worries. If you want your tech stack and your sleep schedule to stay intact, it’s best to go with a payment solution actually built for cannabis.
Being in cannabis means you’re in one of the most regulated industries in North America. Good news: There are POS systems engineered for you. With Cova POS and a few others, you get:
Curious if this could make your day-to-day easier? See what other retailers say over at Cova’s customer stories.
Don’t get me wrong - Shopify and Lightspeed do have their place. If you’re running a CBD or hemp shop, where the rules are a bit less intense, these systems can do everything you need, with less drama. In fact, Cova’s own CBD POS proves what’s possible when you combine mainstream hardware and integrations with the compliance and payments know-how cannabis sellers truly need. If you’re thinking of crossing over from CBD to THC sales, it pays to pick a solution designed for high compliance from the start.
Still sorting out what’s best for your business? Swing by our How To Open a Dispensary guide for a straight-shooting checklist on tech, legal paperwork, and everything else.
Could you make Shopify or Lightspeed work for a dispensary? Sure, with enough duct tape and patience. But more often, you’ll be left troubleshooting payments, sweating compliance audits, or dealing with sudden surprises. If you want your shop to run smoothly, stay legal, and scale with less stress, your best bet is a cannabis-specific POS designed for everything this industry can thrown your way. Ready to see real solutions? Get a personalized demo or advice from the Cova team - we’re always happy to help you build your business and avoid those not-so-fun, late-night headaches.