Why your credit card gets declined
Every page in our Minnesota dispensary guide comes back to one fact. Minnesota made cannabis legal, Washington didn't. The rule here says a store can take any legal method of payment, but banks and card networks answer to federal law, so most won't touch a cannabis sale.
The cashless ATM is the common fix. The store runs your debit card like an ATM withdrawal, rounds up, and hands back the difference. It works, it just costs a couple of dollars. Any mandatory card fee a store charges gets taxed like the product.
Will this work at the register?
Tap how you want to pay. The rules allow any legal payment, so most of this is store practice. Call ahead if you're counting on one.
WorksCash
Works at basically every store, with no fee. It's the safe bet for a first visit.
WorksDebit card
Works at most stores, usually as PIN debit or a cashless ATM charge that rounds up and hands back change, plus a small fee.
WorksIn-store ATM
Common at most stores. Expect an ATM fee on top of anything your own bank charges, so pull enough the first time.
Won't workCredit card
Rarely. The card networks avoid cannabis while it's federally illegal. If a store does add a card fee, the state taxes it like the product.
Won't workApple Pay, Google Pay
Usually not. Phone wallets ride the same card networks, so the same problem applies.
WorksGift card or store account
Works where the store offers one. The rules name gift card prepayments and prepaid accounts with the store.
WorksPay online when you order
Allowed. Stores can take payment with an online, app or phone order, and you'll give your name, address, phone, email and birthday.
Won't workPaying at the door
No. A delivery order has to be paid before the driver arrives, and drivers turn back with unpaid orders.
Won't workEBT card
No. Minnesota's rules bar EBT cards for cannabis purchases.
- Works
- Won't work
