Is your point of sale (POS) system holding your smoke shop back? Without the right tools, you could be missing out on sales — or worse, falling out of compliance.
Whether launching a dedicated CBD shop or expanding your tobacco store’s offerings, you’ll need a CBD POS system built for high-risk transactions, strict regulations, and complex inventory.
Here’s how to choose the right one, plus three top software providers to consider for your business.
What To Look for in a CBD POS System
Selling CBD products is uniquely challenging, no matter the region. Your POS system should let you track a wide range of items in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.
The right CBD POS system should give you the tools to manage everything that matters to your shop’s success. Here’s what to look for:
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Verify your customers’ age easily: Comply with all applicable age restrictions — most jurisdictions limit CBD sales to customers 18+ or 21+. Choose a POS system that supports ID scanning hardware and features built-in safeguards, like automatic alerts for underage buyers.
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Process high-risk payments: Find a POS provider that accepts high-risk payments. Many U.S. banks classify CBD businesses as high-risk, and not all payment processors will support them. Look for transparent fees and built-in chargeback management to avoid surprises at checkout.
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Manage specialized inventory: Skip the manual tracking and let a specialized POS system handle the details. Stock hundreds of stock-keeping units (SKUs) with variations in potency, flavor, spectrum, and format without getting lost.
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Comply with local regulations: Choose a POS system that automatically tracks batch and lot numbers. This helps you meet documentation requirements, including Certificates of Analysis (COAs), without extra work.
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Synchronize online and in-store sales: Look for a POS system with real-time e-commerce syncing so online customers can avoid ordering out-of-stock inventory.
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Manage loyalty programs: Use CRM tools designed for the CBD industry to comply with local marketing laws. They’ll let you track purchase history, understand customer habits, and build loyalty programs that stay within legal limits.
Whether you’re focusing solely on CBD or offering it alongside other products, avoid using generic or mismatched software. Choose a system with the right features to meet compliance needs, reduce operating costs, and boost your bottom line.
Top 3 CBD POS Systems
Searching for the right point of sale software to support your CBD sales? With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. To make your decision easier, we’ve rounded up three top POS providers that offer the features and compliance tools CBD retailers need:
1. Cigars POS
Cigars POS is a versatile point of sale system designed for tobacco and CBD retailers. It includes a complete set of features for smoke shops looking to sell CBD products like vapes, cartridges, oils, edibles, and cigarettes.
Tools and features:
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Scan customer IDs in seconds: Equip your shop with built-in age verification. Cigars POS includes an ID scanning feature compatible with dedicated scanners that read driver’s licenses and state IDs in seconds.
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Bundle products for promotions: Create and sell custom product bundles to boost revenue. Cigars POS makes it easy to upsell customers with themed combos for relaxation, stress relief, sleep, and starter packs for new users.
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Label creation and printing: Create custom barcodes for unique, locally made CBD products that don’t come with SKUs. Print labels in different shapes and sizes right from the point of sale.
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Manage and keep your CBD inventory stocked: Monitor stock levels in real time, organize your CBD inventory using custom product categories, and set automatic reordering points to keep your best-selling items and bundles in stock.
Support your growing product line with Cigars POS. It’s perfect for hybrid stores and traditional smoke shops expanding into CBD. This system gives you all the tools you need to manage cigars, vapes, CBD products, and smoking accessories, all while staying compliant with local regulations.
2. KORONA POS
KORONA POS is a flexible, cloud-based POS system for retailers of all types, from convenience stores to hobby shops. It includes a full selection of features for smoke shops looking to expand into CBD sales.
Tools and features:
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Verify customer ages with your preferred tools: Connect a wide selection of external ID scanners to KORONA POS so your staff can check IDs with familiar equipment.
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Manage inventory by type: Track your inventory by product type, batch, or variant, set custom alerts for low stock, and separate your CBD inventory from your regular tobacco items.
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Run custom promotions: Launch targeted sales, offer mix-and-match discounts, and use the built-in reporting tool to quickly understand what sells the fastest.
KORONA POS is ideal for smoke shop owners who need a straightforward POS system that can handle age-restricted sales, including tobacco and CBD items. It’s easy to set up and use, keeping inventory management and sales simple.
3. Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail gives CBD and vape shops a system that can handle retail pressure — strict regulations, fast checkouts, and constantly balancing inventory, staff, and compliance. It helps keep your shelves stocked, your team on track, and your sales legit.
Tools and features:
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Build customer profiles: Save key details like dosage preferences, purchase history, and product sensitivities to recommend the right CBD blends and track repeat buyers for loyalty perks.
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Break down your data: Segment reports by strain type, carrier (oil, balm, capsule), or THC content. Use insights to identify trends, adjust pricing, and schedule restocks based on what’s actually moving.
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Go multichannel fast: Launch an e-commerce store that syncs with your retail shelves, lists compliant product details, and uses built-in SEO tools to attract CBD shoppers in your region.
CBD retail moves quickly, and the rules change just as fast. With age verification through integration with Hyperspace, Lightspeed’s CBD POS system gives you the control to stay compliant and build customer trust with every sale.
Make the Switch to a Better CBD POS System
Running a CBD shop isn’t easy — between age verification, managing countless SKUs, and staying compliant with changing regulations, there’s a lot to juggle. That’s why you need a CBD POS system built to handle the industry’s unique demands, from high-risk payment processing to compliance tracking and inventory management.
Cigars POS gives you everything you need in one powerful platform. Whether you sell tobacco, CBD, vapes, or all three, you’ll benefit from industry-specific tools like built-in age verification, secure payment processing, and real-time stock tracking.
Schedule a demo today and start selling CBD products with confidence.
