MENDOCINO CO., 12/12/25 – President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order as soon as Monday directing federal agencies to reclassify cannabis under federal law, according to CNBC.
The move would shift cannabis from Schedule I — the most restrictive category under the Controlled Substances Act — to Schedule III, a less tightly regulated classification that recognizes accepted medical use.
While the change would not legalize cannabis at the federal level, it would mark a major shift in national drug policy.
For Mendocino County, where cannabis remains a key agricultural sector, reclassification could bring practical benefits for licensed operators.
According to CNBC, the change would allow cannabis businesses to operate under different federal tax rules and could make banks more willing to work with the industry, potentially easing long-standing financial and cash-handling challenges.
Local and state laws would not change. Mendocino County would continue to control permitting, zoning and enforcement, and operators would still be required to comply with California regulations.
Federal agencies would still need to complete a formal rulemaking process before any reclassification takes effect, a step that could take several months.
Ooooh trumps getting in with big mj now!! Too bad mendo kicked out all its pot growers, we could be getting rewarded ! We used to supply 80% of this country’s weed! We coulda been rich, like had specialist doctors in our town and stuff. Oh whelp.