Starting in mid March, more than 10,000 cannabis dispensaries had their payment services shut down.

Processors, ISO agents, and operators were all forced into the same position—scrambling to get back up and running.

At the same time, we’ve seen a clear shift.
ISO agents are choosing to align with stronger teams rather than operating alone.

At CBS Payments, we handle onboarding, underwriting, approvals, and ongoing merchant support so you’re not left managing disruptions on your own.

Because in this environment, it’s simple:
it’s better to be part of a solid system than scrambling independently.

The Problem

Programs go down without notice
Merchants lose the ability to transact
Revenue stops instantly
Agents are forced into reactive mode

The result:
unpredictable residual income and constant disruption.

What’s Working Now

ISO agents are moving toward more stable, flexible payment strategies that protect revenue and keep merchants live.

Instead of relying on a single solution, the focus is now on creating consistency across every account.

This leads to:
More transaction volume
Greater account stability
Stronger monthly residuals

Where Cardless Fits

Scan & Pay (Pay-by-Bank / QR code / ACH) is emerging as a more stable option—working alongside cashless ATM or as a standalone solution.

Solutions for:
In-store
Delivery
Online pre-pay orders
Call-in orders (Text-to-pay)
Curbside pick up
B2B vendor payments

This expands how dispensaries get paid and increases the total revenue tied to each merchant.

The Bottom Line

The events starting in March made one thing clear:

Going it alone is riskier than ever.

ISO agents who align with the right team and adopt more stable payment strategies are in a better position to protect their portfolio, reduce merchant churn, and build long-term residual income.

Complete the CBS Referral Partner form and we'll schedule a quick call to discuss the program, answer your questions, and help you get started. Become an ISO Referral Partner Today