The Cole Memo

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently published a new application packet that would allow licensed adult-use dispensing organizations, upon approval by the state, to serve medical cannabis patients at the medical cannabis tax rate.

It is unclear to me exactly when IDFPR first posted the application, as I did not see an announcement from the state or any media coverage of this development before I shared the application via social media on August 12th.

Beginning September 10, 2026, licensed adult-use dispensing organizations will be able to apply for the new license. Applicants must submit a nonrefundable $5,000 application fee. Upon issuance of a license, the standard renewal fee for the license will increase by $10,000 per renewal cycle. The application asks applicants to provide an updated dispensary floor plan identifying a consultation area for medical patients.

The new licensing process was established through recently enacted cannabis omnibus legislation in Illinois.

The application also requires documentation of proper zoning and a patient prioritization plan that includes a designated medical cannabis line and registers that will serve medical patients first. An updated security plan must also be provided, “if necessary”.

You can find the form by clicking here or by going directly to this link: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/forms/auc/f2636.pdf

Coverage in Media

• Illinois News Joint
• MarijuanaMoment
• MJBizDaily

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The Hemp Debate: Cannabis, Decriminalization, and Where We Go From Here | E307 – The Cole Memo

Cole is joined by cannabis advocates Brian Dombrowski and Annie Romelfanger for a spirited conversation about hemp, medical cannabis, federal decriminalization, and the increasingly blurry distinction between "hemp" and "marijuana." They discuss the impact of the 2018 Farm Bill, THCA flower, synthetic and converted cannabinoids, industrial hemp, medical cannabis, and whether the industry needs clearer definitions or fewer of them altogether. Later, Brian sticks around to discuss the latest federal effort to delay restrictions on hemp products, what regulations could come next, and developments in Texas and Illinois. Miggy and Guap also join the conversation to discuss cannabis access, medical programs, dosage limits, consumer protections, and what a truly descheduled cannabis market might eventually look like. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/08/14/e307/

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3. Illinois Cannabis: What Comes After the Omnibus? | E305 01:30:03
4. Federal Update and Illinois Cannabis News | E304 54:01
5. What Florida and Illinois Get Wrong About Cannabis Legalization | E303 01:32:26