Square’s withdrawal from the hemp-and CBD-market has retailers racing against the clock. Some hemp-focused companies have been told that their accounts will be closed on November 5, 2026Retailers who are already navigating the major changes in federal regulations now face a new challenge: finding POS partners and payment partners that they can rely on to run their business.
Cova Software is a cannabis technology platform that remains committed to hemp, CBD and cannabis retailers who are compliant, even as other providers move away. Cova, a cannabis retail technology platform, is designed specifically for the regulated market. It helps businesses stay compliant, navigate changing federal and state regulations, and adapt to new opportunities.
A Broader Message for the Industry
Square’s decision to leave the industry is not an indication that other payment processors will also follow. It does highlight a structural problem for retailers that rely on payment and technology providers who are not designed for regulated retail.
This risk is immediate for hemp and CBD retailers. This pattern is well-known to cannabis retailers. Regulated category providers must be willing to adapt when rules change and not only process transactions as long as they are aligned with their current business model.
Built for regulated retail, not entering it for convenience
Cova is an established player in the cannabis industry. The market has seen many changes over the years. It is this experience that shapes how Cova approaches the hemp & CBD category.
Gary Cohen, CEO at Cova Software, said that retailers should not have to worry about whether their technology provider is still supporting their industry when laws change. Cannabis taught us that regulation will change, markets will shift and retailers will have to continually adapt. Cova is built to handle this environment. “Our job is to help customers adapt and keep their business moving.”
Cohen said, “We’re here to support hemp and CBD retail businesses that are facing a difficult transition.” Cohen added that “if their business or market evolves towards licensed cannabis retail they will not have to start from scratch with another technology provider.”
Cova combines Point of Sale and integrated Payments To deliver a seamless experience at the checkout, helping retailers to serve their customers faster and accessing competitive rates of processing without adding premiums just for operating in an industry with high risk.
Cova was designed for retail regulation and is also designed to be flexible as the regulations change. It supports CBD and hemp retailers and can potentially transition into licensed cannabis retailers where legal.
Switching providers is more than just a new card reader
Payment processing is not the only issue that retailers face when forced to switch platforms. The point-of sale system is responsible for the daily operations of a retail store. It holds information such as transaction histories, product catalogs and inventory data, and also manages loyalty programs. If you lose that system at short notice, it means you have to migrate critical business data and still serve customers.
Cova’s implementation and Launch team was built to manage that transition directly. It helps retailers migrate data and configure their system. It also trains staff and prepares for launch.
Support That Really Cares
Cova’s support model is an integral part of the company’s offering, and not something that comes after a sale. The support staff of the company is based in North America. They are experienced in cannabis retail and regulated sales. Their average response time falls under 30 second.
A representative stated that “when regulations change, or a retailer requires assistance to keep their business running, Cova’s Support Team steps in,” said the representative. “Not a bot. It’s not a script. It’s not a mysterious call center located on the opposite side of the globe.”
What Retailers Must Do Now
Cova encourages hemp and CBD retailers on Square or who are concerned about the long-term commitment of their current provider to this category to start evaluating alternative providers before a deadline is forced. Cova’s support team can answer your questions regarding migration, integrated payment, compliance requirements, and preparing for future regulatory changes. Cova also published a detailed process breakdown so that retailers can learn more and prepare their business for the future.
Cova’s site has additional information on how it handles the hemp/CBD point of sale and hemp/CBD payments.
Cova Software
Cova Software has been awarded for its cannabis retail platform. More than 2,200 shops in North America trust it. The suite of cannabis compliant solutions from Cova, including ecommerce and payments, inventory and analytics management, helps cannabis, CBD and hemp retailers to simplify compliance and reduce operational costs. Cova’s flagship POS system has achieved 100% uptime during 4/20 for 9 consecutive years. Retail Software of the Years at the Emjay Awards was awarded to the company in 2024, and again in 2025. Cova has its headquarters in Vancouver, BC, as well as Denver, CO, supporting cannabis retailers throughout North America.
More information is available at www.covasoftware.com.
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