Square’s exit from the hemp and CBD market is putting retailers on the clock. With some hemp-focused businesses being told their accounts will close on November 5, 2026, retailers already navigating major federal regulatory changes now face another urgent challenge: finding POS and payment partners they can count on to keep their businesses running.

Cova Software, a cannabis retail technology platform, remains committed to compliant hemp, CBD, and cannabis retailers as other providers step away. Purpose-built for regulated retail, Cova helps businesses navigate evolving federal and state rules, stay operational, and adapt with confidence.

A Broader Signal for the Industry

Square’s exit is not necessarily a sign that other processors will follow. But it highlights a structural risk for retailers who rely on general-purpose technology and payment providers: those companies were not built for regulated retail, and they can choose to step back from a category when the regulatory picture shifts.

For hemp and CBD retailers, that risk is now immediate. For cannabis retailers more broadly, it’s a familiar pattern. Regulated categories require providers that are willing to stay and adapt as rules change, not just process transactions while the rules align with their current model.

Built for Regulated Retail, Not Entering It for Convenience

Cova has operated in cannabis retail for years, a market defined by shifting state-by-state rules, mandatory government traceability systems and ongoing payment processing challenges. It is this experience that shapes how Cova approaches the hemp & CBD category.

“Regulated retailers shouldn’t have to wonder whether their technology provider will still support their industry every time the law changes,” said Gary Cohen, CEO of Cova Software. “Cannabis taught us very early that regulations will evolve, markets will change and retailers will constantly have to adapt. Cova was built for that environment. Our job is to help our customers understand what’s changing, adapt their operations and keep their businesses moving.”

“For hemp and CBD retailers facing a transition today, we’re ready to help,” Cohen said. “And if their market or business eventually evolves toward licensed cannabis retail, they won’t have to start over with another technology partner.”

Cova combines point of sale and integrated payments to deliver a seamless checkout experience, helping retailers serve customers faster while accessing competitive processing rates without added premiums simply for operating in a high-risk industry.

Purpose-built for regulated retail, Cova is also designed to adapt as regulations evolve, supporting CBD and hemp retailers today and a potential transition into licensed cannabis retail where legally permitted.

Switching Providers Is More Than a New Card Reader

For retailers facing a forced platform change, the stakes go beyond payment processing. A point-of-sale system holds transaction history, product catalogs, inventory data and loyalty programs, and it runs the daily operations that keep a store open. Losing that system on short notice means migrating critical business data while still serving customers.

Cova’s implementation and launch team is built to handle that transition directly, helping retailers migrate data, configure their system, train staff and prepare for launch with minimal disruption to daily operations.

Support that Actually Cares

Cova’s support model is a central part of what it offers, not an add-on after the sale. The company’s support staff are in-house, based in North America, and experienced specifically in cannabis and regulated retail, with an average response time under 30 seconds.

“When regulations change or a retailer needs help keeping their business moving, that’s when Cova’s support team steps up,” a representative said. “Not an AI bot. Not a script. Not a mystery call center on the other side of the planet.”

What Retailers Should Do Now

Cova is encouraging hemp and CBD retailers who are currently on Square, or those concerned about their existing provider’s long-term commitment to the category, to begin evaluating alternatives before a forced deadline arrives. Cova’s support team is available to answer questions about migration, integrated payments, compliance requirements and preparing for further regulatory changes ahead. Cova has also published a detailed breakdown of the process so retailers can learn more about switching from Square and preparing their business in advance.

Additional information is available on Cova’s website detailing how the platform handles hemp/CBD point-of-sale and hemp/CBD payment processing.

About Cova Software

Cova Software is an award-winning cannabis retail platform trusted by more than 2,200 stores across North America. Its suite of cannabis-compliant solutions, including point of sale, ecommerce, payments, inventory management and analytics, helps cannabis, CBD, hemp and vape retailers simplify compliance, reduce operational costs and grow more profitably. Cova’s flagship POS has delivered 100% uptime on 4/20 for nine consecutive years. The company was named Retail Software of the Year at the Emjay Awards in 2024 and 2025. Cova is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and Denver, CO, and supports cannabis retailers across North America.

More information is available at www.covasoftware.com.