Massachusetts Legal Marijuana Market Surpasses $10 Billion in Sales, Nearly $1.5 Billion in Taxes

Marijuana sales in the state reached $136 million in September, according to the research firm Headset, pushing the all-time total above $10.04 billion since sales began. Around $8.5 billion of the total came from recreational sales. The milestone comes nearly seven years after the first recreational dispensaries opened in late 2018, following voter approval of legalization in 2016. According to the Cannabis Control Commission, the price of a gram of dried cannabis dropped to its lowest point ever in September, at just $4.09 per gram.

Recreational marijuana in Massachusetts is taxed at 10.75% at the state level, in addition to the 6.25% sales tax and a local option tax of up to 3% that municipalities may impose. These revenues contribute to state and local budgets, while medical marijuana sales remain exempt from the excise tax. Based on these figures, the over $10 billion in total sales resulted in around $1.5 billion in tax revenue for the state.

Crossing the $10 billion mark reflects both the longevity and stability of Massachusetts’ marijuana market, even as monthly fluctuations show the industry adapting to broader economic pressures and evolving consumer trends.