San Diego, California Cannabis Tax Rate
32.5% totalAdministering agencies: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) + San Diego Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in San Diego is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 32.5%, driven by a 8% San Diego cannabis business tax stacked on top of California's 15% state excise and 7.25% state sales tax. That makes San Diego the 3rd-highest-taxed of the 6 major California cities tracked here — versus about 34.5% in Los Angeles. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $32.50 in tax, or about $132.50 out the door.
San Diego, California’s second-largest city, layers an 8% city cannabis business tax on top of the 15% state excise and state/local sales tax.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in San Diego?
Use these worked examples to see what San Diego's 32.5% 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 8% San Diego cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | San Diego city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $16.25 | $4.00 | $66.25 |
| $100.00 | $32.50 | $8.00 | $132.50 |
| $200.00 | $65.00 | $16.00 | $265.00 |
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 San Diego tax calculator.
San Diego 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 |
| San Diego Cannabis Business Tax | 8% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 32.5% | 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 San Diego
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 San Diego, though the 8% San Diego cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in San Diego?
Cannabis in San Diego carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. California adds its 15% cannabis excise on top of ordinary sales tax, and San Diego then collects an additional 8% cannabis business tax on licensed retailers — a cost dispensaries pass through to the customer. That stacking is why the register total at a San Diego 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.
San Diego vs Other California Cities
Local cannabis taxes vary city to city in California. Here is how San Diego 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 | 10% | 34.5% |
| Oakland | 10% | 34.5% |
| San Diego (this page) | 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 San Diego, California?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in San Diego?
How much is the cannabis business tax in San Diego?
Is cannabis cheaper in another California city near San Diego?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from San Diego's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in San Diego?
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