If you sell CBD or hemp-derived products and just received Square’s shutdown email, the deadline is real. You must find a new payment processor or remove all CBD, hemp, and hemp-derived items from your Square catalog by October 15, 2026. Our team realizes how stressful this is, so we are dedicating ourselves to helping CBD websites switch away from Square as seamlessly and easily as possible.
Do you simply want to get started with a free quote and a detailed timeline? Click the Start arrow near the bottom of this page, and we will email you the next steps ASAP.
After October 15, 2026, CBD products are no longer permitted on Square. Period. CBD or hemp businesses face a very high risk of full account closure. Our dedicated CBD merchant account and a compatible payment gateway integration keep your card processing running and well ahead of the new deadlines.
This change stems from a new federal law that redefines legal hemp products, set to take effect November 12, 2026. Square is enforcing the October 15 catalog deadline regardless of any possible short legislative delay. Our partners feel that, although stressful, there is a high likelihood that legislators will resolve this issue – Square, it seems, does not want to manage this period of uncertainty and is instead asking its merchants to find other solutions. Getting started with a Square CBD alternative now helps you replace Square CBD processing before the cutoff.
What the Square notice actually means
• 📅 You must remove every CBD, hemp, and hemp-derived item from your catalog by October 15, 2026
• 🔄 Non-CBD products may remain allowed under Square’s general rules – but not on the same URL, meaning most business owners will need to switch processors entirely.
• 💳 The federal hemp definition change takes effect November 12, 2026 (Unless, as we believe, Congress acts beforehand)
What a Square CBD shutdown means for your business
Square treated CBD as a special early-access program for years. That program is ending for compliance reasons. Your non-CBD products may stay active if you sell them, but you must remove any CBD or hemp SKUs from your website. For many sellers, this creates an immediate gap in card acceptance.
Even if you sell both CBD and non-CBD items, keeping them on the same Square account or website URL is very, very risky. From decades of experience working with high-risk merchants, Square will often still restrict or close the account once CBD activity is detected. You need a separate, dedicated, CBD-friendly solution.
Our team is ready to help you set up a stable way to keep taking payments. Waiting until mid-October leaves little room for underwriting, documentation, and setup.
Why using a dedicated CBD merchant account after Square works better
Mainstream aggregators share risk across thousands of merchants. When rules change or volume spikes, accounts can face holds or sudden restrictions. A dedicated high-risk merchant account is underwritten specifically for your business and product mix. It pairs with a CBD-friendly payment gateway so you can continue processing online and in person without relying on a temporary program.
This approach gives you clearer reserve expectations and support that continues through the November 12 federal change. You also gain predictable chargeback handling and long-term stability as product rules evolve.
How to prepare for the switch
Click Start near the bottom of this page, and we will email you all of the rates, timelines, and next steps. Then, you can begin gathering the documents providers will need. Specialized underwriting reviews these details up front so the account matches what you actually sell.
Quick checklist:
• ✅ Gather current COAs for all active CBD and hemp products
• ✅ Pull recent Square processing statements
• ✅ Note your current online platform, any POS hardware, and average monthly volume (Square Online, Shopify? Pinwheel? BigCommerce?)
What to look for in a Square CBD alternative
Look for a provider that supports the platforms and terminals you already use and offers hands-on help with the switch. Priority intake for merchants who already received the Square notice can shorten the timeline.
The goal is simple: keep cards flowing while you stay compliant with the new rules.
Next steps for CBD websites after getting a shutdown notice
If you need help accepting credit cards for hemp or CBD after receiving a Square shutdown notice, get a free, no-pressure review of your options. Click Start near the bottom of this page and share the details of your Square notice and product catalog so we can get to work for you right away. You need time to test, time to make solid, calm decisions, and we will be there via phone, email, or screen share to help at every step of the way.
Organic Payment Gateways has decades of experience helping CBD and high-risk merchants move off restricted credit card processing platforms. You receive one-on-one customer service throughout the process, along with affordable solutions built for your industry. Please check out our ratings on the BBB and Trustpilot.
* We are not attorneys and do not provide any legal advice. Before selling any products or services, you must seek qualified, professional legal counsel.