Cannabis curbside pickup costs nothing extra at many US dispensaries. When a shop does charge, the fee sits in the single digits, often $2 to $5. The rest of your total is the menu price of the products plus the same state and local taxes you would pay at the counter.
How much does cannabis curbside pickup cost?
Free is the norm at high-volume shops. Others add a service fee or set an order minimum. A few pass along card processing costs for debit and cashless ATM payments.
- Free curbside: no fee and no minimum. This is the most common setup.
- Service fee: $2 to $5, shown at checkout.
- Order minimum: $20 to $50, which blocks small baskets.
- Card fee: $2 to $3 for debit or cashless ATM use.
- Taxes: state excise tax and local sales tax at the same rate as in-store.
Numbers vary by state and by shop, so read the checkout screen before you confirm. Most product pages hide the fee.
What fees show up on a curbside order?
Service or convenience fee
This is a flat charge for bringing the order to your car. Some shops call it a concierge fee or a curbside fee. It is the one line item that exists because you chose the curb.
Order minimums
A minimum is not a fee, but it works like one. A $40 minimum turns a $15 purchase into a $40 purchase if you want curbside. Small shops with fewer staff on the floor use minimums more than large chains do.
Card and cashless ATM fees
Most cannabis sales still run on cash because card networks limit the industry. A debit card used at the curb may hit a cashless ATM, which adds a flat fee plus a percentage. Paying in cash removes that charge.
Cannabis taxes
State excise taxes apply to the product no matter how it leaves the store. Local sales tax can apply to a service fee in some states and not others. Your receipt breaks out each line.
Is curbside pickup cheaper than delivery?
Curbside costs less than delivery at most shops. Delivery adds a fee of $5 to $10 in many markets, a higher order minimum, and a tip that shoppers treat as expected. Curbside carries a smaller fee or none at all.
- Curbside: $0 to $5 fee, low or no minimum, tip optional.
- Delivery: $5 to $10 fee, $50 or higher minimums, tip common.
- In-store: no fee, but you spend your own time and gas.
Does curbside cost more than walking in?
No. State rules require a retailer to charge the posted menu price for every sale, so the sticker price does not change. The gap in your total, when one exists, comes from a service fee, a card fee, or a swap in what you ordered.
Some shops waive the fee once your basket passes a set amount, such as $50. Loyalty members often get the same break.
Why would a dispensary charge for curbside?
Curbside ties up an employee and a parking spot for each order. Staff must verify ID, take payment, and hand off a sealed bag, all while the line inside keeps moving. A small fee offsets that labor.
Shops in busy districts also use the fee to control demand. A few dollars per car cuts the number of vehicles waiting when staff are stretched thin.
How do you avoid curbside pickup fees?
- Filter for shops that advertise free curbside on their menu page.
- Meet the order minimum so the fee does not apply.
- Pay in cash to skip debit and cashless ATM charges.
- Join the loyalty program. Several shops drop the fee for members.
- Order during slow hours, when staff have time to stage a car line.
- Check the fee line at checkout. If it is new to you, call the shop and ask.
Does convenience decide where people buy?
For a growing share of shoppers, yes. A $3 fee looks small next to 20 minutes in a line and a hunt for parking. Shoppers accept the charge when the store holds their favorite brands and the order is ready when they pull up.
The math flips past $5. At that point many shoppers switch to a free-curbside competitor or build a bigger basket to spread the fee across more product. Shops watch that threshold and set the fee to keep carts full.
Frequently asked questions
Is cannabis curbside pickup free?
At many shops, yes. Fees run from $0 to $5 at most US dispensaries, and free curbside is the standard in competitive markets. Call ahead if the menu does not list a fee.
Do you tip for curbside pickup?
Tips are optional. A dollar or two, or 10% on larger orders, is a common range when the service earns it. No shop can require a tip.
Can a dispensary charge more at the curb than inside?
The product price must match the posted menu, but a shop can add a service fee for curbside. That fee is the source of any difference in your total.
Do curbside fees count toward cannabis taxes?
It depends on your state. Some tax service fees, while others treat them as separate from the cannabis excise base. The receipt shows which line the tax attaches to.
Does curbside pickup require a minimum order?
Some shops set one, often $20 to $50. A minimum shows up more at small retailers than at large ones.