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/