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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#295 – Inside the Ascend Strike: Cannabis Workers Speak Out [Illinois] – The Cole Memo

Cole sits down with striking workers and representatives from Teamsters Local 916 to discuss the ongoing labor dispute at Ascend Wellness' cultivation facility in Barry, Illinois. They explain why more than 300 workers walked off the job, outline their concerns over wages, health care, overtime, workplace safety, and contract negotiations, and respond directly to portions of Ascend's public statement. The conversation also explores what the strike could mean for Illinois' cannabis supply chain, consumer concerns surrounding cultivation conditions, and what both sides would need to do to return to the bargaining table. Throughout the interview, Cole emphasizes transparency by explaining how the interview came together and offers Ascend the opportunity to share its perspective in a future episode. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/06/30/e295/

1. #295 – Inside the Ascend Strike: Cannabis Workers Speak Out [Illinois] 39:01
2. #294 – Federal Cannabis Developments & Illinois Cannabis Law Updates 47:03
3. #293 – Federal Cannabis Developments & What We Learned in Chicago 03:02:35
4. #292 – Governor Pritzker Signs Illinois Cannabis Omnibus Into Law 18:13
5. #291 – Trulieve's NYSE Milestone, Upcoming Illinois Reporting, and Live Grow Cam Launch 12:57