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The Cole Memo is your go-to source for informed, open discussion on civil liberties. Each episode tackles pressing issues, such as the decriminalization of drugs, the latest developments in the cannabis industry, and so much more. Hear from a diverse range of guests, including but not limited to: industry insiders, advocates, entertainers, and musicians, as they bring their unique perspectives to the conversation. Tune in to stay informed and engaged on the issues that matter most. Go to TheColeMemo.com to learn more!
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A new cannabis lawsuit with sharp allegations in Illinois, taxes might increase in Michigan’s cannabis market, and possible federal action on cannabis policy—we’ll cover it all in this live stream. View show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/10/03/e232/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole shares important updates that affect medical cannabis patients in Illinois, including new allotment equivalencies, upcoming changes to dispensary access, and the launch of a patient portal. He also recaps key takeaways from the latest Medical Cannabis Advisory Board meeting, where patients and advocates voiced frustrations with the lack of progress over the last decade. The episode then shifts to Governor Pritzker’s latest comments on hemp and the ongoing debate over whether federally legal cannabis products should be restricted to dispensaries. With stakeholders from the hemp industry weighing in, this conversation highlights the growing divide between patient needs, market access, and state policy. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/09/20/e231/
In this impromptu live episode of The Cole Memo, Cole covers a recent raid in Illinois that sparked a bigger conversation about hemp regulation across the country. With Governor Pritzker voicing concerns about youth safety and Governor Abbott issuing an executive order in Texas to ban hemp sales to minors, the debate is heating up. Should hemp remain freely accessible, or should states impose age gates, testing, and labeling requirements? Cole explores these questions, the partisan crossover between Abbott and Pritzker, and the broader implications for cannabis regulation in Illinois and beyond. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/09/13/e230/
In this episode, we mainly watch the live MAPS press conference that I was invited to, where leadership addressed the FDA’s newly released complete response letter rejecting MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD. You’ll hear their perspective on shifting standards, trial design disputes, and what this decision means for the future of psychedelic medicine. To set the stage, I begin with a clip from Hamilton Morris on drug journalism and the FDA’s rejection of MDMA therapy, then we tune into the full press conference. Links to the FDA letter, my article covering the decision, and outside analysis are included in the show notes. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/09/05/maps-fda/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, we dig into the fallout from ABC7 Chicago’s latest report on the University of Illinois Chicago’s forensic testing lab. Flawed cannabis DUI testing has put thousands of convictions under scrutiny, raising serious questions about oversight and justice in Illinois. We also look at the ongoing debate around cannabis rescheduling at the federal level, including recent comments from President Trump and reactions from industry leaders and opponents alike. Plus, updates on the Texas hemp ban and another troubling Illinois cannabis raid highlight how prohibition still lingers despite legalization. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/29/e228/
The Three Dope Dudes are back, this time combining forces like a cannabis Megazord to bring you a packed summer wrap-up. From Illinois craft showcases and brand shoutouts to the real talk on seed-to-sale tracking systems, monopolization, and THC inflation, no topic is off-limits. We explore the politics of hemp versus marijuana, unpack the latest on potential federal rescheduling, and share why consumer education still matters in a market driven by numbers over nuance. With a mix of policy insight, personal stories, and industry news, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to examine where cannabis is now—and where it might be headed next. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/12/e227/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole speaks with Luke from Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) about President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on potentially rescheduling cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. Luke shares why he believes marijuana should remain Schedule 1, citing concerns over corporate influence, public health, and the federal scheduling system’s criteria. The conversation covers Trump’s shifting tone on medical marijuana, potential tax benefits for the industry under Schedule 3, and what rescheduling could mean for state trigger laws and federal regulations. Whether you agree or disagree, this discussion offers a direct look at an opposing viewpoint in the ongoing national debate over cannabis policy. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/11/e226/
In this special episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down breaking news on both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, President Trump has confirmed that his administration is “looking at” rescheduling marijuana, with a decision expected within the next few weeks. We review his comments, the political and industry reactions, and what rescheduling could mean for research, the cannabis industry, and 280E tax burdens. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the state has opened applications for the third round of its Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program, offering financial support to eligible licensees. Cole shares details on how to apply, resources for applicants, and more. Join the conversation as we explore what could be one of the most significant moments in cannabis policy in recent years. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/11/e225/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole returns with a live broadcast covering breaking cannabis news from Illinois, Texas, and beyond. A surprise guest from Texas Cannabis Collective joins to unpack the whirlwind special session in Austin, where a proposed hemp THC ban collided with flood relief, redistricting fights, and a dramatic quorum break. Cole also dives into Illinois developments, including the closure of Air Wellness dispensaries, new rounds of social equity loans, and the legal loopholes allowing large operators to skirt dispensary caps. On the federal level, Cole covers the FDA’s move to schedule 7-hydroxy (7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act, ongoing Senate battles over hemp language in the farm bill, and Senator Rand Paul’s push for a more balanced regulatory approach. As always, the episode blends local insight, national context, and audience interaction to bring you the most engaging cannabis news coverage. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/08/10/e224/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, attorney Ali returns to discuss a groundbreaking lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Representing a group of mostly minority and women-owned cannabis transporters, Ali outlines how her clients were granted licenses that were essentially worthless—while larger, established companies received the same licenses under entirely different and more favorable terms. The lawsuit alleges that this created a discriminatory impact and violated the Illinois Civil Rights Act. We also touch on broader issues within the cannabis industry, from transparency in state rulemaking to the politics of outdoor cultivation. With real data, including a 96% failure rate among independent transporters, and insight from the state’s own disparity study, this episode exposes how lofty social equity promises can fall apart in practice. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/30/e223/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, we unpack two big stories shaking up the Illinois cannabis scene. First, we dive into the controversy surrounding a new dispensary planned for West Ridge, partially owned by ten former police officers. While some see it as a redemption arc, others question the ethics of former drug enforcers now profiting from the legal market. Then, Cole walks listeners through his original reporting on outdoor cannabis cultivation in Illinois. From satellite imagery to court filings, he outlines how certain cultivators were quietly permitted to grow outside under previous leadership—until new leadership tried to shut it down, triggering lawsuits from industry giants like Curaleaf. With stringent testing requirements in place, is it finally time Illinois allows more flexibility in how and where cannabis is grown? Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/28/e222/
Craig Katz joins the show to break down the policy tensions between Illinois’ regulated marijuana market and its largely unregulated hemp industry. As a board member for multiple trade associations and the compliance manager at CBDratom, Katz gives listeners an insider view into the push for House Bill 1—a legislative effort that would add labeling, age-gating, and testing requirements for intoxicating hemp products, without placing them under the expensive and restrictive CRTA framework. We talk about why hemp has become a preferred path for small businesses and social equity entrepreneurs, how major cannabis companies are now entering the hemp space, and what reasonable regulation could look like. Plus, a frank discussion on taxation, the future of HB1, and the controversial compound known as “7OH.” Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/28/e221/
In this deeply personal episode of The Cole Memo, I'm joined by longtime friend and inspiration Jean Lacy, founder of the Illinois Psychedelic Society. We talk about burnout, idealism, and how to keep moving forward in advocacy work without losing yourself in the process. Jean reflects on her powerful essay, “choosing both: rest and resistance, healing and hustle, purpose and peace,” and we explore the tension between living like liberation is possible now while pushing for change in systems built to wear us down. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, questioned your place in this work, or just needed permission to rest—this one’s for you. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/23/e220/
In this episode, Cole sits down with Michigan drug policy advocate Julie Barron for an honest conversation about the state of psychedelic reform, community burnout, and the challenges of staying grounded when a movement starts to fracture. They discuss Ann Arbor’s unique culture, the evolution of Hash Bash, and how grassroots momentum led to real drug policy wins across multiple cities. Julie opens up about the emotional toll of advocacy, the infighting that derailed local efforts, and a recent wave of social media censorship targeting psychedelic organizations. The conversation also explores the differences between decriminalization and legalization—and why those distinctions matter. We discuss access, integrity, and why the fight for cognitive liberty is far from over. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/23/e219/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down a whirlwind of news from the local to the federal level. He starts with a look at Texas, where Governor Abbott is calling a special session that could lead to new restrictions on hemp—but without banning it outright. Then, Cole dives into the newly signed HALT Act, clearing up confusion about fentanyl scheduling and questioning the long-term consequences of doubling down on prohibition. Back in Illinois, Cole highlights a detailed report on how intoxicating hemp remains unregulated despite multiple legislative attempts, with deep divisions even within the hemp industry. He explains how 50mg THC sodas can legally be sold outside dispensaries, discusses competing hemp bills, and revisits his interview with Rep. La Shawn Ford. To close, Cole spotlights where Illinois cannabis tax dollars are actually going—down to the dollar. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/17/e218/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole checks in live to unpack some of the biggest cannabis stories of the week—from federal immigration raids on licensed California cannabis farms, to a scathing internal report on UIC’s faulty THC blood tests that may have tainted over 1,000 DUI cases. He also dives into a troubling new report revealing that nearly half of Illinois’ cannabis licenses remain unused, despite the state’s social equity promises. Cole also shares his experience speaking at a Cannabis Research Institute listening session, where he challenged Illinois officials to address the contradiction between legalization rhetoric and ongoing criminal penalties. Plus, shoutouts to community voices like Cannabis Critique, Elevated News Podcast, and more. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/15/e217/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics to unpack the complex realities behind cannabis market structures. From price elasticity and licensing limits to the rising tension between hemp and marijuana regulation, Beau explains what the data really shows. They also tackle how market access, consolidation, and criminal enforcement intersect with public policy — and why some legalization efforts may be reinforcing old injustices. If you’ve ever wondered whether high cannabis prices are policy-driven, or why hemp has become such a lightning rod, this conversation is for you. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/03/e216/
In this live stream, we’ll be discussing the failed attempt to ban federally-legal cannabis products in Texas. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/03/e215/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole talks about odor proof updates + Metrc’s impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/07/03/e214/
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole talks about odor proof updates + Metrc’s impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients. Watch video version or read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2025/06/25/e213/
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