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Monday, Jul. 21, 2025

Does Nevada have the highest cannabis tax rate in the West?

Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent
no

Other states, including Washington and Colorado, have higher cannabis tax rates than Nevada and are bringing in more revenue per capita, according to a 2025 report by the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities.

Nevada has a tax rate of 10% on recreational marijuana retail sales, which is lower than the other western states the report looked at. The highest is Washington’s retail tax rate of 37%. 

Nevada and Colorado are the only two western states with a wholesale cannabis tax, with both states’ rate set at 15%. 

In 2023, Nevada’s cannabis tax revenue was fourth highest among the western states at $41.67 per capita. That year, the cannabis taxes brought in about $133 million in total revenue. 

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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