The Cole Memo

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we take a closer look at where Illinois cannabis tax revenue is actually going and whether it’s living up to the promises made at legalization. From general revenue funds to reinvestment programs, we break down what’s known, what’s unclear, and why transparency still matters. We also highlight an op-ed from State Representative Sonia Harper, who argues that while...

This episode covers a range of developing stories shaping the cannabis landscape. Cole breaks down allegations against Verano involving the exposure of sensitive patient data, highlighting ongoing concerns around privacy in the medical market. He also explores Target’s expansion into hemp-derived THC drinks in Minnesota, raising questions about corporate influence and what companies may be anticip...

In this episode, I sit down with Jimmy Young, executive producer of Cannabis Coast to Coast News and an Emmy award-winning broadcaster, to talk about his journey from sports media into cannabis journalism. We discuss how he built a national platform covering cannabis policy, the challenges of censorship in the space, and what it really takes to produce consistent, independent media in a rapidly ev...

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a major upcoming Illinois cannabis town hall and breaks down a viral controversy surrounding inflated THC potency labels in dispensaries. A Reddit post and independent testing results raise serious questions about accuracy and trust in cannabis testing, highlighting how young and evolving the industry still is. The main segment features a deep dive int...

In this episode, I’m joined by Brad Spirrison to discuss the relaunch of GrownIn and what it means for cannabis commerce and culture in Chicago and the broader Midwest. We talk about why the region is uniquely positioned as a hub for cannabis talent, business, and innovation, and how this next chapter aims to bring those pieces together in a more intentional way. We also dive into the upcoming Mid...

In this episode, Cole breaks down a major Illinois cannabis licensing case heading to court, where questions around transparency, fairness, and hidden relationships are front and center. With hundreds of allegedly ineligible applications impacting the odds, the outcome of this case could reshape how people view the state’s licensing process. Cole also shares a personal milestone, announcing his of...

In this episode, Cole sits down with longtime lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich to unpack how policy actually gets made behind the scenes in Springfield. With over 30 years of experience, Mark shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a key figure in state legislative affairs, working across cannabis, hemp, healthcare, and more. The conversation goes far beyond cannabis, diving...

In this episode, I sit down with a fellow advocate to discuss a headline story involving alleged cocaine cash laundering tied to an Illinois cannabis licensee, along with the latest updates from Springfield. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/27/e268/

In this episode of The Cole Memo, we break down several key developments shaping cannabis policy right now. From ongoing confusion around Illinois’ odor-proof container law to new concerns about DUI testing accuracy, there’s no shortage of questions about how these rules are actually being applied in the real world. We also take a look at labor wins in the industry and what they could mean for wor...

This episode of The Cole Memo breaks down two major stories shaping the conversation around cannabis policy in Illinois. First, new developments in the University of Illinois Chicago drug testing lab controversy raise serious questions about past DUI cases, scientific standards, and accountability. As more cases get dropped, the conversation around faulty testing continues to grow. Then, we shift...

This episode of The Cole Memo covers a handful of stories that show how messy cannabis policy can get once it leaves the page and enters the real world. Cole breaks down the arrest of an Illinois man returning from Michigan with cannabis, reacts to the online conversation around that case, and looks at Senator Rachel Ventura’s latest psilocybin proposal and what it could mean for broader drug poli...

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by hemp farmer and congressional candidate Stacy McCaskill for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis policy, the hemp industry, and the challenges of entering politics as an independent voice. They discuss the ongoing debate between hemp and marijuana markets, why many small operators see the 2018 Farm Bill as their only on-ramp into the cannab...

In this laid-back episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with Byron, host of the Lost and Faded podcast, for a fun conversation about cannabis, movies, and building an independent creative platform. Byron shares how he got started in the cannabis industry, what inspired him to launch a podcast centered around smoking and talking about films, and how the show has grown into a space for movie love...

In Episode 262, Cole plays clips from a wide-ranging interview with Illinois cannabis regulator Vaughn Bentley of IDFPR, digging into how the state oversees dispensaries, what regulators say they prioritize, and why Illinois does things differently than most states. Along the way, Cole shares commentary on testing, recalls, product safety, privacy protections at dispensaries, and the ongoing debat...

Cole sits back down with Jeremy Gorner of the Chicago Tribune to break down Governor Pritzker’s combined Budget and State of the State address. From a proposed social media platform fee and casino tax changes to renewed efforts on cell phone bans in schools, nuclear energy expansion, and housing reform, they unpack what “affordability” really means in an election year and what lawmakers may or may...

In this broadcast, I’ll joined by a surprise guest. I’ll be discussing the recent veto of a hemp ban in Chicago, the upcoming legislative session in Illinois, and more. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/02/17/e260/

This episode is packed with Illinois news and a national lawsuit that hits close to home. Cole breaks down his latest original reporting on outdoor cultivation being quietly allowed for a select few in Illinois, and asks the bigger question: who gets flexibility under state law, and who does not? He connects the screenhouse litigation to what it could mean for craft growers, medical patients, and...

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I will sit down with an Illinois cannabis operator for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to try to build a business in the state’s legal market. Watch video version and read show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/02/08/e258/

Illinois lawmakers are once again trying to fix one of the most confusing parts of the state’s cannabis law. In this live broadcast, Cole breaks down House Bill 4782, a proposal that would prevent vehicle searches based solely on the smell of cannabis. The discussion explains how recent Illinois Supreme Court rulings treated raw and burnt cannabis differently and why a small wording change could h...

In this broadcast, Brad Spirrison joins the show to announce the Midwest Cannabis Forum. Learn more at MidwestCannabisForum.com. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/01/22/e254/

This week on a live broadcast of The Cole Memo, Cole is joined by Dave from SupportDope to break down the Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition’s 2026 legislative agenda, including medical patients shopping anywhere, telemedicine access, curbside pickup, social consumption, homegrow and caregiver expansion, and the ongoing fight over odor-based policing. Later, Cole brings on Jason Brown from Illinoi...

Illinois has legalization on the books, but arrests and incarceration for non-violent cannabis offenses have not disappeared. In this live broadcast, Cole is joined by returning guest Christian Reichert, who served years in prison for a non-violent cannabis case and is still navigating parole after release. They talk about what it feels like to watch dispensaries operate while people are still pay...

In this live Tuesday broadcast of The Cole Memo, Cole covers newly filed cannabis related legislation in the Illinois General Assembly and offers a high level overview of what each proposal would do if it were to advance. He also explains where these bills currently sit in the legislative process and why committee placement matters when evaluating momentum. The episode includes several callers who...

I’ll be joined by Ashley Surin’s mom, Maureen, for an important conversation about their ongoing fight to access a medical cannabis product they describe as lifesaving for Ashley. We’ll talk about Ashley’s story, the barriers families face when seeking critical care options, and what this case says about the broader state of medical cannabis policy. You can sign the petition to support Ashley at C...

In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a wide-ranging Illinois cannabis update, beginning with a family fighting to maintain access to a medical cannabis product that has kept their daughter seizure-free for years. As production moves out of state and federal law blocks interstate access, patients are once again left navigating a system that claims to prioritize health but often fails to de...