Aurora, Illinois Cannabis Tax Rate
37% totalAdministering agencies: Illinois Department of Revenue + Aurora Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Aurora is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 37%, driven by a 3% Aurora cannabis business tax stacked on top of Illinois's 25% state excise and 6.25% state sales tax. Every major Illinois city tracked here carries the same combined rate, because Illinois applies a uniform 3% local cannabis tax across host communities. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $37.00 in tax, or about $137.00 out the door.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Aurora?
Use these worked examples to see what Aurora's 37% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the Illinois state excise, 6.25% state sales tax, typical local sales tax, and the 3% Aurora cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Aurora city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $18.50 | $1.50 | $68.50 |
| $100.00 | $37.00 | $3.00 | $137.00 |
| $200.00 | $74.00 | $6.00 | $274.00 |
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 Aurora tax calculator.
Aurora Cannabis Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Cannabis Excise | 25% | State-imposed retail excise |
| Wholesale / Cultivation Excise | 7% | Imposed upstream; embedded in retail price |
| Illinois State Sales Tax | 6.25% | Medical pays 1% |
| Typical Local Sales Tax | 2.75% | County / district average |
| Aurora Cannabis Business Tax | 3% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 37% | What you actually pay at retail |
Official source: Illinois Department of Revenue ↗ · rates compiled 2026-08-11 · city rates set by local ordinance.
How Medical Cannabis Is Taxed in Aurora
Medical cannabis pays a reduced 1% state sales tax and no cannabis excise (savings vs adult-use depend on the product’s potency tier — the excise runs 10–25%). In practice that trims roughly $30.25 off every $100.00 spent versus an adult-use purchase in Aurora, though the 3% Aurora cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Aurora?
Cannabis in Aurora carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. Illinois adds its 25% cannabis excise, a 7% wholesale/cultivation excise that is baked into shelf prices, on top of ordinary sales tax, and Aurora then collects an additional 3% cannabis business tax on licensed retailers — a cost dispensaries pass through to the customer. That stacking is why the register total at a Aurora dispensary can run noticeably higher than the same product in a lower-tax Illinois city or across the state line.
Potency-based Cannabis Cultivation Privilege Tax: 10% on flower ≤35% THC, 20% on infused products, 25% on flower >35% THC. Plus 7% wholesale tax on cultivators. Medical cannabis pays only 1% state sales tax and no excise.
Aurora vs Other Illinois Cities
Illinois keeps local cannabis taxes uniform, so the combined rate in Aurora matches the other major cities below — the main cost difference between them comes down to base dispensary pricing, not tax.
| City | City Cannabis Tax | Combined Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 3% | 37% |
| Rockford | 3% | 37% |
| Peoria | 3% | 37% |
| Springfield | 3% | 37% |
| Aurora (this page) | 3% | 37% |
See the full Illinois cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Aurora, Illinois?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Aurora?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Aurora?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Aurora's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in Aurora?
Planning compliant packaging for Aurora, Illinois?
Leave your email and our team will send over a free cost sheet for exit bags, labels, and custom accessories for Aurora, Illinois — no obligation.