Saint Louis, Missouri Cannabis Tax Rate
16.73% totalAdministering agencies: Missouri Department of Revenue + Saint Louis Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Saint Louis is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 16.73%, driven by a 3% Saint Louis cannabis business tax stacked on top of Missouri's 6% state excise and 4.23% state sales tax. Every major Missouri city tracked here carries the same combined rate, because Missouri applies a uniform 3% local cannabis tax across host communities. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $16.73 in tax, or about $116.72 out the door.
St. Louis applies a 3% local cannabis tax on top of Missouri’s 6% adult-use cannabis excise.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Saint Louis?
Use these worked examples to see what Saint Louis's 16.73% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the Missouri state excise, 4.23% state sales tax, typical local sales tax, and the 3% Saint Louis cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Saint Louis city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $8.36 | $1.50 | $58.36 |
| $100.00 | $16.73 | $3.00 | $116.72 |
| $200.00 | $33.45 | $6.00 | $233.45 |
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 Saint Louis tax calculator.
Saint Louis Cannabis Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Cannabis Excise | 6% | State-imposed retail excise |
| Missouri State Sales Tax | 4.23% | Applies to medical and adult-use sales |
| Typical Local Sales Tax | 3.5% | County / district average |
| Saint Louis Cannabis Business Tax | 3% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 16.73% | What you actually pay at retail |
Official source: Missouri Department of Revenue ↗ · rates compiled 2026-08-11 · city rates set by local ordinance.
How Medical Cannabis Is Taxed in Saint Louis
Medical cannabis pays a lower 4% state tax instead of the 6% adult-use excise; state and local sales tax still apply. In practice that trims roughly $2.00 off every $100.00 spent versus an adult-use purchase in Saint Louis, though the 3% Saint Louis cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Saint Louis?
Cannabis in Saint Louis carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. Missouri adds its 6% cannabis excise on top of ordinary sales tax, and Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis dispensary can run noticeably higher than the same product in a lower-tax Missouri city or across the state line.
Missouri imposes a 6% adult-use cannabis excise tax + state/local sales tax. Local jurisdictions may add up to 3%. Medical cannabis pays a lower 4% state tax and is exempt from the 6% recreational excise.
Saint Louis vs Other Missouri Cities
Missouri keeps local cannabis taxes uniform, so the combined rate in Saint Louis 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 3% | 16.73% |
| Saint Louis (this page) | 3% | 16.73% |
| Springfield | 3% | 16.73% |
| Columbia | 3% | 16.73% |
See the full Missouri cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Saint Louis, Missouri?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Saint Louis?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Saint Louis?
Are medical cannabis patients exempt from Saint Louis's tax?
Where can I buy cannabis in Saint Louis?
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