Cannabis Tax Planning in California
Cannabis businesses face tax rules other industries don’t. We help California operators look at cost of goods sold, entity structure and the line between cannabis and non-cannabis activity—well before filing season.
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Based in Milpitas. Serving business owners across the Bay Area.
The 2026 Rescheduling
In April 2026, the federal government moved two categories of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III: marijuana under a qualifying state medical license, and FDA-approved marijuana products.
Section 280E only applies to Schedule I and II substances, so that medical activity is no longer subject to its limits on deducting ordinary business expenses. Adult-use (recreational) marijuana remains in Schedule I, and 280E still applies to it. A decision on rescheduling the rest of marijuana is still pending.
If you operate medical and adult-use lines together, how you separate revenue, expenses and inventory between them now matters more than ever.
How We Help
Practical tax planning for the issues that most often shape a cannabis business’s tax bill.
Calculate cost of goods sold from a tax-law perspective, within limits the IRS is likely to accept, while still capturing the value you’re entitled to.
Plan a structure that addresses near-term tax liability and is built to last, so you aren’t restructuring year after year.
Separate cannabis and non-cannabis divisions, activities and expenses correctly—an area that is often challenged in an IRS audit.
If you run both, allocate revenue, expenses and inventory between medical and adult-use activity in light of the 2026 rescheduling.
File a federal return that reflects the rules specific to businesses involved with a controlled substance.
Work through state and local requirements such as sales and excise taxes, where compliance is closely tied to keeping your license.
1
Book a free consultation to discuss your goals, questions and current challenges.
2
Discuss where tax planning, accounting, CFO support or capital raising may fit your needs.
3
Agree on the next steps and the support that makes sense for your business.
Start with the support your business needs today, with room for your financial strategy to grow alongside it.
Plan throughout the year to identify tax-saving opportunities, anticipate obligations and make informed decisions before filing season.

Keep your financial records organized and your reporting clear, with bookkeeping and controller support that helps you understand business performance.
Bring financial perspective to your next business decision with cash flow forecasting, performance insights and guidance for growth.
Explore investor connections and financing options, with guidance on presenting your business and preparing for funding conversations.
Read clients’ experiences working with Manuel and the Synqmine team.
5.0 · 24 Google reviews
★★★★★
“Manuel is very knowledgeable and he is always up to date with the most recent changes and laws in the industry, he improved my Taxes plan in ways that I didn’t even think of… His CFO services are great.”
Alex Cisneros
Google review
★★★★★
“Manuel was able to perform monthly accounting services such as payroll monitoring month end reports… Manuel also educated my self and my business on how to better handle our financial aspects on a monthly basis.”
Cristina Gutierrez
Presidente & CEO, PRANA Innovation Management · Google review
★★★★★
“The communication, availability and commitment you provide is great. And that is without even mentioning your knowledge, I wasn’t expecting to receive all those credits and everything was thanks to you.”
Karen Cifuentes
Google review
Bring your questions about taxes, cash flow or growth. Start with a free consultation about your business and where you want to go.
An AI assistant that answers questions about Synqmine's services and can help you book a free consultation. It currently operates in English.
Ready to talk? Book a Free Consultation