TL;DR: Hemp-derived CBD is federally legal, but marketing it isn’t a free-for-all. FDA rules, state laws, and ad platform policies create a maze of restrictions that can affect whether you keep your CBD merchant accounts. The safest path is an education first marketing strategy, airtight compliance, and a CBD payment processing partner like Bankcard International Group (BIG) that understands high-risk industries and helps you stay approved.
Why CBD Marketing Compliance Effects CBD Merchant Accounts and Your Bottom Line
CBD is amazing but with so many products and derivatives, regulators and acquiring banks are watching closely. If your marketing crosses the line with health claims, inaccurate labeling, or noncompliant ads, the consequences can ripple fast:
- FDA warning letters and scrutiny
- Ad account restrictions or bans on major platforms
- Processor or bank closures, putting your CBD payment processing, cash flow, and business at risk
- Brand damage that erodes consumer trust
At BIG, we’ve helped CBD brands recover from surprise account closures. The common denominator? Marketing and product presentation that didn’t align with FDA and platform rules. Getting compliant now is always cheaper than getting reinstated later.
The Regulatory Landscape in Plain English
Federal: FDA’s stance on CBD
The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp-derived CBD from the Controlled Substances Act, but it didn’t create a marketing free pass. The FDA still governs how CBD can be positioned in commerce. Practically, that means:
- No unapproved drug claims. Avoid words like “treats,” “cures,” “prevents,” or comparisons to pharmaceuticals.
- No marketing CBD as a dietary supplement or conventional food additive without proper approvals.
- Use accurate, non-misleading language and include appropriate disclaimers where needed.
State-level rules
States layer on their own requirements (e.g., specific labeling elements, batch testing, retail restrictions, age gates). If you sell across states, your policies must meet the strictest applicable standards or use segmented approaches.
Advertising platforms
Each platform has its own policies. Expect tight controls or outright bans on paid ads for ingestible CBD. Even where ads are allowed, creative, targeting, and landing pages must be squeaky clean. Owned and earned media channels are typically safer and more scalable for CBD.
Compliance is a growth strategy. The brands that scale are the ones that make trust, documentation, and clear, accurate messaging part of their marketing DNA.
What Creates Risk for CBD Merchant Accounts?
1) Health or disease claims
If your copy implies CBD “helps with anxiety,” “reduces pain,” or “treats insomnia,” you’re in drug-claim territory. Processors and banks treat that as regulatory risk.
2) Inconsistent or incomplete labeling
Labels should accurately reflect ingredients, concentrations, serving sizes, batch/lot numbers, and testing disclosures based on state law. What’s on the label must match what’s in the bottle.
3) Website and funnel misalignment
Your claims, disclaimers, and policies must be consistent across product pages, PDPs, FAQs, blogs, cart/checkout, email automations, and post-purchase flows. Processors often audit the full journey.
4) Vendor management gaps
Testing, COAs, and manufacturing documentation should be current and readily accessible. Weak documentation can trigger processor questions—and delays or denials.
A Practical Marketing Playbook That Protects Your CBD Payment Processing
Lead with education—not claims
- Explain hemp-derived CBD, your sourcing, extraction methods, quality controls, and testing practices.
- Share how to evaluate CBD products (reading labels, understanding COAs).
- Use precise, non-medical language and let customers consult their healthcare providers for medical guidance.
Build a trustworthy website
- Professional design, fast load times, and mobile optimization signal credibility.
- Prominent disclaimers (e.g., “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease”).
- Easy access to COAs (from verifiable licensed third party labs), ingredient lists, and customer service.
- Clear shipping, returns, age verification (if required), and privacy policy.
Double down on owned media
- SEO content: Answer common CBD questions in blog posts and guides using compliant, educational language.
- Email marketing: Nurture subscribers with product education, sourcing transparency, and brand stories. Keep claims conservative and consistent with your site.
- PR & reviews: Seek third-party validation in trade outlets and encourage verified customer reviews (without incentivizing medical statements).
Tight ad compliance (where permitted)
- Ensure landing pages match ad copy.
- Avoid health claims and sensitive audience targeting.
- Maintain creative and policy documentation for audits.
Put decades of high risk payment processing to work. Go BIG & Get your CBD Merchant Accounts Approved.
How BIG Keeps Your CBD Payment Processing Stable
Industry-savvy underwriting
We assess your business model, products, site content, and marketing practices through the lens of acquirers and regulators—so you know where to tighten up before an underwriter asks.
Bank and processor alignment
Not all acquiring banks view CBD the same way. BIG pairs you with the right fit for your risk profile—from product type to fulfillment model—so your CBD merchant account is built for stability.
Ongoing compliance guidance
Regulations evolve. We’ll help you interpret updates, refine your marketing guardrails, and keep your documentation (e.g., COAs, supplier details, policies) processor-ready.
Our goal is simple: keep you processing, keep you compliant, and keep you growing.
Special Note on Cannabis vs. Hemp Derived CBD Merchant Accounts
Plant-touching cannabis (THC) merchants cannot accept credit cards on the major card networks. Hemp-derived CBD merchants, by contrast, may be eligible for card acceptance if they meet underwriting and compliance criteria. If you sell across categories, structure your product catalog and funnels carefully—and talk to BIG about the right setup.
Protect your processing. Grow with confidence.
Contact Bankcard International Group to secure compliant CBD payment processing and a reliable CBD merchant accounts backed by high risk expertise and hands-on support.
Getting CBD Merchant Accounts Approved: What Processors Want to See
Documentation
- Company details, fulfillment process, and customer service plan
- Product lists with SKUs and descriptions
- Current COAs for each batch and product form
- Supplier/manufacturer information
Website readiness
- Compliant product pages and disclaimers
- Matching claims and data across site, emails, and ads
- Clear policies: shipping/returns/age verification/privacy
Operational controls
- Refunds, chargebacks, and support SLAs
- Inventory and batch tracking discipline
- State-by-state compliance awareness
Show you manage your business and risk like a pro, and you’ll stand out in underwriting.
The BIG Difference: High Risk Expertise Built for CBD Merchant Accounts
BIG is built for complex, regulated verticals. We bring:
- Deep CBD underwriting experience and bank relationships
- Fast, transparent guidance on compliance and approval pathways
- Long-term account stability through proactive monitoring and support
When you’re ready to scale, we’re ready to help you do it the right way.
Ready to secure a stable CBD merchant account?
Talk to an ETA-Certified Payments Professional at BIG. We’ll map your approval path and set you up for long-term processing success.
FAQs: CBD Merchant Accounts & Marketing
Can I say CBD “helps with” specific conditions?
Why would a processor shut down my CBD merchant account?
How can I market CBD without risking claims?
Can I accept credit cards if I also sell Cannabis THC products?
