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Start Here: The Cole Memo
This page brings together a sample of my best work — from expert interviews to deep dives into cannabis history, culture, and policy. You’ll also find documentaries, archives, and special projects here. Whether you’re a longtime follower or a first-time visitor, this page is designed to help you dive in at your own pace. Explore…
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Episode 273 – Jimmy Young on Media, Nixon, and the Cannabis Industry Today
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…
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Episode 272 – IL Cannabis Town Hall and Mislabeled Products in Dispensaries?
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.…
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Episode 271 – GrownIn Relaunch and Midwest Cannabis Forum Preview
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…
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Episode 270 – Illinois Licensing Case Heads to Court + Big Personal Announcement
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…
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Episode 269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works
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.…
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Episode 268 – Cocaine Cash in Illinois? + Latest Cannabis Policy Updates
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. Links mentioned during show
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Episode 267 – Illinois Odor Laws, Alcohol Lobby Pushes to Halt Hemp Ban, Indiana Governor Signals Legalization
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…
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Episode 266 – The UIC Lab Scandal and Cannabis Law Confusion in Illinois
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…
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Episode 265 – Arrested during Michigan Weed Run, Illinois Lawsuits, and a Market Shakeup
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…
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Episode 264 – Cannabis, Congress, and Competition: A Conversation with Stacy McCaskill
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…
The Cole Memo
Conversations for Change
The Cole Memo 