Medical Cannabis Payment Processing.
For Clinics and Pharmacies.
Medical cannabis has been legal on prescription in the UK since November 2018. Most payment providers still won't touch it. We match prescribing clinics and dispensing pharmacies in regulated markets with PSPs that accept the category. Free to you.
Can medical cannabis clinics take card payments? Yes, in markets where prescribing is legal, such as the UK. Mainstream processors usually decline cannabis of any kind, but specialist acquirers accept medical cannabis clinics and pharmacies that can evidence prescribing by registered specialists and proper pharmacy registration. ICPay matches you with those acquirers for free.
Last updated 15 October 2026
Why regulated clinics still get declined
Most processors apply one blanket rule to anything with "cannabis" in it. They don't separate a regulated prescribing clinic from a recreational seller. That's the gap a specialist PSP fills.
- Blanket cannabis exclusions in mainstream acceptable-use policies
- Applications rejected on the business name before anyone reads the licence
- Patients forced onto bank transfer, slowing every repeat prescription
- US-led risk teams applying US federal rules to UK and EU merchants
What a medical cannabis PSP will check
Have these ready before introduction. It's the single biggest factor in how fast you go live.
Prescriber credentials
In the UK, cannabis-based products for medicinal use can only be initiated by doctors on the GMC Specialist Register.
Clinic and pharmacy registration
CQC registration for clinics, GPhC registration for dispensing pharmacies, or the equivalent regulator in your market.
Patient journey
How consultations, prescriptions and dispensing link together. Underwriters want to see payment taken only against a valid prescription.
No recreational positioning
Clinical language only across your site, ads and social. Lifestyle marketing undermines the application.
Policies
Refunds, cancellations, privacy and complaints handling.
Company and director KYB
Incorporation documents, director and UBO ID and proof of address, 3 to 6 months of statements.
What medical cannabis merchants typically pay
No PSP will quote before underwriting. Here's what to expect, so you can spot a bad offer.
| Term | Typical range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Card processing rate | Commonly 3% to 6% per transaction | Volume, ticket size and dispute history move this most. |
| Rolling reserve | Commonly 5% to 10%, held 90 to 180 days | Negotiable. Clean processing history is the fastest way to reduce it. |
| Chargeback ceiling | Visa: 1.5% (VAMP, from April 2026). Mastercard: 1.5% and 100+ chargebacks a month (ECM). | PSPs usually act before you hit these. Many intervene around 1%. |
| Time to live | Introduction within 48 hours. Onboarding typically 5 to 10 business days. | Complete documents on day one is the biggest time saver. |
Indicative market ranges from published industry sources, not a quote. Your terms depend on volume, history, chargeback ratio and jurisdiction.
How ICPay places medical cannabis merchants
Applying direct vs going through ICPay
| Applying direct | Through ICPay | |
|---|---|---|
| Which PSPs | ✕ Whoever ranks on Google | ✓ PSPs that already accept medical cannabis merchants |
| PSPs that don't take direct applications | ✕ No access | ✓ Included |
| Underwriting | ✕ Generic queue, no context | ✓ Briefed before the first call |
| If the first PSP says no | ✕ Start again | ✓ Alternatives ready |
| Cost to you | Your time | ✓ £0. We're paid by the PSP |
Medical cannabis payment processing: FAQs
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
Yes, on prescription. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use became prescribable on 1 November 2018. Prescribing must be initiated by a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register.
Can a medical cannabis clinic use Stripe?
Generally no. Mainstream processors exclude cannabis in their acceptable-use policies, even where prescribing is legal. Specialist acquirers accept regulated clinics and pharmacies.
Do you work with clinics outside the UK?
Yes, where medical cannabis is legally prescribed and dispensed. The PSP shortlist depends on your jurisdiction and licences.
Is CBD the same as medical cannabis for payment purposes?
No. CBD retail and prescription cannabis are underwritten differently. See our CBD payment processing page if you sell over-the-counter CBD.
What does ICPay charge clinics?
Nothing. The PSP pays ICPay a commission after a successful introduction.
Get matched with a PSP that accepts medical cannabis merchants
Six fields. No documents yet. We review your details and come back within 48 hours with next steps.
Other verticals we place
Already lost your processor? Read what to do in the first 48 hours.
Read the guideSources: Trust Payments: Medical cannabis payment processing · MDU: Prescribing cannabis-based products