Billings, Montana Cannabis Tax Rate
23% totalAdministering agencies: Montana Department of Revenue + Billings Finance Department · Updated for 2026
A legal cannabis purchase in Billings is taxed at a combined effective rate of about 23%, driven by a 3% Billings cannabis business tax stacked on top of Montana's 20% state excise. Every major Montana city tracked here carries the same combined rate, because Montana applies a uniform 3% local cannabis tax across host communities. On a typical $100.00 dispensary purchase that works out to roughly $23.00 in tax, or about $123.00 out the door.
Billings is Montana’s largest city; Montana counties may add up to 3% local cannabis tax on top of the 20% state cannabis tax.
How Much Is Cannabis Tax in Billings?
Use these worked examples to see what Billings's 23% combined cannabis tax adds to a dispensary purchase. Figures apply the Montana state excise, and the 3% Billings cannabis business tax to the pre-tax price.
| Pre-tax price | Total tax | Billings city tax | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | $11.50 | $1.50 | $61.50 |
| $100.00 | $23.00 | $3.00 | $123.00 |
| $200.00 | $46.00 | $6.00 | $246.00 |
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 Billings tax calculator.
Billings Cannabis Tax Breakdown
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Cannabis Excise | 20% | State-imposed retail excise |
| Montana State Sales Tax | 0% | Applies to medical and adult-use sales |
| Typical Local Sales Tax | 0% | County / district average |
| Billings Cannabis Business Tax | 3% | City-specific cannabis ordinance |
| Combined Effective Rate | 23% | What you actually pay at retail |
Official source: Montana Department of Revenue ↗ · rates compiled 2026-08-11 · city rates set by local ordinance.
How Medical Cannabis Is Taxed in Billings
Medical cannabis pays a reduced 4% state tax instead of the 20% adult-use rate (Montana has no general sales tax). In practice that trims roughly $16.00 off every $100.00 spent versus an adult-use purchase in Billings, though the 3% Billings cannabis business tax may still apply depending on the local ordinance.
Why Is Cannabis Taxed This Much in Billings?
Cannabis in Billings carries layers of tax that ordinary retail goods never see. Montana adds its 20% cannabis excise on top of ordinary sales tax, and Billings 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 Billings dispensary can run noticeably higher than the same product in a lower-tax Montana city or across the state line.
20% state cannabis tax on adult-use retail (Montana has no statewide sales tax), with counties allowed to add up to 3% local option. Medical cannabis pays a reduced 4% state tax.
Billings vs Other Montana Cities
Montana keeps local cannabis taxes uniform, so the combined rate in Billings 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Billings (this page) | 3% | 23% |
| Missoula | 3% | 23% |
| Bozeman | 3% | 23% |
| Great Falls | 3% | 23% |
See the full Montana cannabis tax guide →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cannabis tax rate in Billings, Montana?
How much tax will I pay on a $100 cannabis purchase in Billings?
How much is the cannabis business tax in Billings?
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