Los Angeles, California Cannabis Tax Rate
34.5% totalAdministering agencies: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) + Los Angeles Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Los Angeles is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 34.5%, driven by a 10% Los Angeles cannabis business tax stacked on top of California's 15% state excise and 7.25% state sales tax. That makes Los Angeles the highest-taxed of the 6 major California cities tracked here — versus about 24.5% in San Francisco. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $34.50 in tax, or about $134.50 out the door.
Los Angeles runs one of the largest legal cannabis retail markets in the United States, and its 10% city cannabis business tax is the maximum California allows on top of the state’s excise and sales taxes.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Los Angeles?
Use these worked examples to see what Los Angeles's 34.5% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the California state excise, 7.25% state sales tax, typical local sales tax, and the 10% Los Angeles cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Los Angeles city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $17.25 | $5.00 | $67.25 |
| $100.00 | $34.50 | $10.00 | $134.50 |
| $200.00 | $69.00 | $20.00 | $269.00 |
Estimates treat all taxes as applied to the retail price; actual receipts vary by product, potency tax (where applicable), and exact local sales rate. Model a specific basket with the Los Angeles tax calculator.
Los Angeles Cannabis Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California Cannabis Excise | 15% | State-imposed retail excise |
| California State Sales Tax | 7.25% | Medical cannabis exempt |
| Typical Local Sales Tax | 2.25% | County / district average |
| Los Angeles Cannabis Business Tax | 10% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 34.5% | What you actually pay at retail |
Official source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) ↗ · rates compiled 2026-08-11 · city rates set by local ordinance.
How Medical Cannabis Is Taxed in Los Angeles
Medical patients with a valid MMIC card are exempt from state sales tax, but still pay the 15% state cannabis excise. In practice that trims roughly $7.25 off every $100.00 spent versus an adult-use purchase in Los Angeles, though the 10% Los Angeles cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Los Angeles?
Cannabis in Los Angeles carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. California adds its 15% cannabis excise on top of ordinary sales tax, and Los Angeles then collects an additional 10% cannabis business tax on licensed retailers — a cost dispensaries pass through to the customer. That stacking is why the register total at a Los Angeles dispensary can run noticeably higher than the same product in a lower-tax California city or across the state line.
15% state cannabis excise on retail gross receipts. The rate briefly rose to 19% on July 1, 2025 under AB-195’s revenue trigger, then AB 564 (signed September 2025) rolled it back to 15% effective October 1, 2025 and holds it there through June 30, 2028. Cultivation tax was repealed in 2022. Medical patients with a valid MMIC card are exempt from state sales tax. Cities layer their own cannabis business taxes (0%–10%); San Francisco has suspended its local cannabis tax through 2035.
Los Angeles vs Other California Cities
Local cannabis taxes vary city to city in California. Here is how Los Angeles stacks up against the other major markets we track, ranked from highest to lowest combined effective rate:
| City | City Cannabis Tax | Combined Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (this page) | 10% | 34.5% |
| Oakland | 10% | 34.5% |
| San Diego | 8% | 32.5% |
| Long Beach | 8% | 32.5% |
| Sacramento | 4% | 28.5% |
| San Francisco | 0% | 24.5% |
See the full California cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Los Angeles, California?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Los Angeles?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Los Angeles?
Does Los Angeles have the lowest cannabis tax in California?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Los Angeles's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in Los Angeles?
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