In this episode, I welcome Ted Parks, chairman of the Independent Third-Party Carriers Association (ITPCA), to discuss the trials and triumphs of independent cannabis transporters in Illinois. We explore the financial challenges transporters face and the regulatory landscape. Ted shares his advocacy journey, insights into the industry, and the importance of equity in cannabis policy.
The conversation also addresses hemp’s growing presence in the cannabis market, the regulatory framework that allows its unique positioning, and its potential to reshape the industry. Cole and Ted discuss creative solutions for achieving fairness and equity while addressing the hurdles presented by Illinois’ stringent rules.
(For the first hour and nine minutes, the conversation focuses on cannabis transportation, including the struggles of independent operators and potential pathways for reform. The remainder of the episode shifts to hemp, examining its expanding role in the market, the regulatory framework shaping its use, and its implications for the cannabis industry.)
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Links mentioned during show
- Push to Ban Federally-Legal Cannabis in Illinois Fails Alongside Cannabis Omnibus
- HB0064
- Website for 3rd Party Carriers – https://thirdpartycarriers.org/
- E90 of the Cole Memo featuring Ted and others
- Licensed cannabis transporters say illegal deliveries are happening without consequence
- Pritzker Press Conference – Question on Delivery
- Question/answer regarding home delivery
- Opioids vs. Cannabis: Strictness of Controls Varies Between Substances in Illinois
- E148 of The Cole Memo featuring Ali Jubelirer
- The Future of Cannabis & Hemp Policy: Taking the Best, Leaving the Rest
- HB5903 (this bill was reintroduced as HB0064 at the start of the 104th General Assembly in Illinois, which was recently inaugurated.)

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