Tax & FinanceOhio-Jul 28, 2026

Setting Marijuana Taxes Too High Drives Consumers To The Illegal Market, Federally Funded Study Finds

Key Takeaway

States that impose high tax rates on regulated marijuana products are driving adult consumers to the illicit market, according to a new federally funded study. The research, published in the journal Health Economics, looked at past-month cannabis purchasing behavior of 1,525 adults aged 21 and older. Researchers with Ohio State University found that high cannabis

What This Means for Cannabis Businesses

Tax developments like this directly impact the bottom line for every cannabis operator. With Section 280E creating effective tax rates above 70% for many businesses, any shift in federal tax policy - whether through rescheduling, court rulings, or IRS guidance - can mean the difference between profitability and closure. Cannabis business owners should work closely with a specialized CPA to understand how these changes affect their specific situation.

Ohio Cannabis Market Overview

Ohio voters approved recreational cannabis in 2023. The market is still developing with licenses being issued for the adult-use program. The state has approximately 300 active cannabis licenses and 8 licensed testing laboratories. There are 48 cannabis professionals serving Ohio businesses on our directory, including CPAs, attorneys, and compliance consultants.

This analysis is based on reporting by Marijuana Moment. Read the original article. CannaBizGuide provides original commentary and analysis - this is not legal or tax advice.