How to Pay at a Cannabis Dispensary

Why can’t I use a credit card at a dispensary?

Credit card networks operate under federal banking regulations, and cannabis remains illegal at the federal level even in states like Ohio that have legalized it for adults. That conflict is why Visa, Mastercard, and similar networks decline to process dispensary transactions directly, at any licensed store nationwide.

This is not specific to The Garden or to Ohio. It is a nationwide reality of the cannabis industry as long as federal and state law remain out of sync on legality.

It surprises some first-time shoppers coming from other kinds of retail, where a card is usually the default. Dispensary shopping tends to require a bit more payment planning up front, simply because of that federal gap.

How does cash work at The Garden?

Cash is accepted at both Camp Washington and Sycamore Township, and each location has an ATM on site if you need to withdraw before checkout. It remains the simplest, most direct payment method with no processing steps in between.

For shoppers who prefer not to carry cash regularly, the on-site ATM removes the need to plan ahead specifically for a dispensary visit.

How does debit actually work if credit cards are not accepted?

Debit transactions run through a cashless ATM system, a common workaround across the cannabis industry that processes your card as an ATM withdrawal rather than a standard retail charge. It may round to the nearest dollar and can include a small terminal fee, consistent with how it works at most dispensaries nationwide.

The card itself works the same way it does anywhere else, a normal debit card tied to your bank account. The difference is entirely in how the transaction is categorized behind the scenes, a workaround built specifically around the same federal banking gap that blocks credit cards.

What is Spendr, and how is it different from debit?

Spendr is a Cincinnati-built digital payment and rewards platform accepted at both Garden locations, offering another cashless option alongside standard cashless ATM debit. It functions as its own payment method rather than a variation on the cashless ATM system.

Ask at the counter if you want to set it up before your next visit; staff can walk you through it at either store.

Having a third option beyond cash and cashless ATM debit is useful mainly for flexibility. If a card reader is briefly down or an ATM line is long, having Spendr set up ahead of time means checkout does not depend on any single method working.

Does the drive-thru accept the same payment methods?

Yes. The drive-thru window at both Camp Washington and Sycamore Township accepts the same cash, cashless ATM debit, and Spendr options as the lobby register, with no difference in what is accepted between the two.

For the full drive-thru process end to end, see our drive-thru guide.

Frequently Asked Questions