Why Cannabis Costs More in Redmond, WA: The Real Tax Breakdown

A car hit the shop again — and locals turned it into a tax debate

When a concrete bollard went through the front of a Redmond, Washington cannabis shop for what locals counted as roughly the fifth time in two years, the community reaction in r/redmond wasn't just about the crash — it was about the prices. One commenter's joke that it must be "genius advertising" opened a genuinely useful thread about why weed costs more on the east side of Seattle, who's actually driving prices down, and where locals go instead.

The tax math nobody explains clearly

Washington adds a 37% state cannabis excise tax on top of standard sales tax. In Redmond and Bellevue that works out to roughly 47% in combined taxes — among the highest cannabis tax burdens in the country. One commenter initially blamed a 30% Redmond city tax before others corrected the breakdown: the state's 37% plus about 10% local. Either way, nearly half of what you spend is tax.

That's why the same products are meaningfully cheaper in parts of Seattle. A 5-pack of pre-rolls that costs $16 at a SoDo shop runs about $25 in Bellevue, and Redmond options are consistently the most expensive in the area. Locals routinely drive to Bellevue's Novel Tree or into Seattle for better variety and price.

The debate: is cheaper actually better?

This is where the thread gets interesting. Several industry insiders pushed back on the reflex to chase the lowest price. Washington caps retail license holdings at five per entity, and some multi-store chains have reportedly found loopholes to exceed that limit — which is why, the argument goes, they can run store-wide discounts every day. The concern: those margins come from squeezing growers, and small craft farms don't always get paid fairly.

The counterpoint, from a budget-conscious commenter, was blunt: "I can't afford to shop anywhere else." For many customers, the lowest price wins, full stop.

Where locals actually shop

Named repeatedly in the thread:

• Zips (SoDo, Seattle) — cheapest, but with the most controversy; commenters warn that the license-count loopholes and vendor practices deserve scrutiny
• Novel Tree (Bellevue) — well regarded, but not the cheapest
• Dockside — praised for selection and a welcoming space
• Hashtag (Redmond) — the shop that keeps getting hit by cars; known for carrying pesticide-free and Clean Green certified brands

Buying smart in Washington

• Compare online menus before you drive — retail pricing varies more than you'd expect across the metro
• Ask about clean and green / pesticide-free certification if that matters to you; a few certified vape brands (High Tide, Sky High, Skord) got name-checked
• Be skeptical of any shop running 40–50% off every single day of the year — question how that discount is funded
• And if you're shopping in Redmond proper, budget for that ~47% combined tax

Legal disclaimer: This article summarizes community discussion and public reporting and is not legal advice. Tax rates and retail licenses change; verify current numbers with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.