The Cole Memo

I wanted to spotlight the Chicago Tribune for covering the growing debate around outdoor cannabis cultivation in Illinois, a topic I first broke details on right here on TheColeMemo.com.

The Tribune highlights how companies like Curaleaf, GTI, and Nature’s Grace are pushing to grow outdoors using hoop houses and screen houses. Former Illinois agriculture regulators granted permission for these kinds of grows, but when new leadership took over, they attempted to revoke that permission and lost in court. The current Curaleaf lawsuit seems to be building on that precedent, seeking the same flexibility. The article also cites my original articles and includes my perspective on why Illinois should rethink its restrictions.

I’ll be sharing the print version of the Chicago Tribune’s coverage below and linking back to my earlier reporting for anyone who wants to dig deeper. I plan to share additional details on this subject in the future.

Original Articles by The Cole Memo

• Exclusive: Outdoor cultivation of cannabis in Illinois – 12/09/2023.
• Exclusive Follow Up: Outdoor cultivation of cannabis in Illinois – 08/19/2024.
• Another Outdoor-Cannabis Lawsuit Hits Illinois – 07/25/2025.

From the Pages of the Chicago Tribune

Note: If the article seems hard to read, you can adjust your view using the Zoom feature.

Below is a text excerpt from the article that features my perspective.

Other industry participants are watching the outcome of the case closely. Cole Preston, author of TheColeMemo.com website and podcast, who first reported on the outdoor grows, sees them not only as a boon for licensed growers, but says it should extend to home growers.

Currently, Illinois law limits home growing to medical cannabis patients, who may grow up to five plants indoors.

“I believe that as long as operators can produce a product that meets Illinois’ strict testing standards, there shouldn’t be an issue with how they grow — be it in an indoor cultivation center, a screen house, a hoop house, a green house, or another type of setup,” he said. Judging from the successful use of outdoor grows so far, he said, “There don’t appear to be any issues.”

Excerpt from Chicago Tribune article

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Cannabis Taxes, Flock Cameras & the Fight Over THC Potency | E332 – The Cole Memo

In this episode, Cole looks at how cannabis tax revenue is being used to fund Flock license plate readers in Champaign County and raises broader questions about where Illinois cannabis tax dollars actually go. The conversation also turns to the latest federal cannabis rescheduling developments after a DEA judge paused proceedings amid new questions about the process behind the proposed move to Schedule III. Later, Cole dives into the debate over THC potency limits, including whether higher-dose cannabis beverages should be available outside dispensaries, what role age restrictions should play, and how cannabis regulations compare with the way alcohol is sold. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/30/e332/

1. Cannabis Taxes, Flock Cameras & the Fight Over THC Potency | E332 01:17:31
2. Brad Spirrison Returns: Where Illinois Cannabis Goes From Here | E331 42:16
3. Illinois Bill Would Pay People Harmed by Cannabis Criminalization | E320 25:28
4. Brian Dombrowski on the Fight Over Hemp and the Future of Cannabis | E319 01:39:08
5. The Cannabis Industry’s Growing Divide, Plus an Illinois Outdoor Home Grow | E318 54:49