The Cole Memo

The Alliance for Cannabis Equity (ACE) has issued a statement in response to the most recent legislative session.

In the release, ACE addressed the failure to advance cannabis omnibus legislation, HB2911, which included language that satisfied several objectives from their list of legislative priorities.

You can view or download the entire press release below.

Earlier this year, ACE released a one-pager which included their priorities for legislative session. I produced an article with my commentary on the one-pager, which you can read here.

You can read my recap on the most recent legislative session here. The article includes GTI’s response to the concerns that have been raised by advocates. You can hear Governor Pritzker’s take on the stalled cannabis policy by clicking here.

Comment below with your thoughts!

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#269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works – The Cole Memo

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 into how lobbying really works, why “just explaining the facts” is rarely enough, and how competing interests shape the laws that impact everyday people. From the fight over hemp to the realities of legalization, this episode offers a candid look at power, policy, and the gap between intention and outcome. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/27/e269/

1. #269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works 02:17:07
2. #268 – Cocaine Cash in Illinois? + Latest Cannabis Policy Updates 42:07
3. #267 – Illinois Odor Laws, Hemp Ban Pushback, Indiana Eyes Legalization 39:36
4. #266 – The UIC Lab Scandal and Cannabis Law Confusion in Illinois 44:39
5. #265 – Arrested during Michigan Weed Run, Illinois Lawsuits, and a Market Shakeup 43:21