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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Illinois Bill Would Pay People Harmed by Cannabis Criminalization | E320 – The Cole Memo

This episode covers a newly introduced Illinois bill that would create direct cash payments for people disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization, with Representative La Shawn Ford expected to return to the show to discuss the proposal. Cole also looks at Illinois' rollout of new medical cannabis licenses for adult-use dispensaries. Later, Cole reacts to clips from The War on Hemp: The Marijuana Monopoly, a documentary he was featured in, discussing hemp prohibition, consumer access, cannabis regulation, and cognitive liberty. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/23/e320/

1. Illinois Bill Would Pay People Harmed by Cannabis Criminalization | E320 25:28
2. Brian Dombrowski on the Fight Over Hemp and the Future of Cannabis | E319 01:39:08
3. The Cannabis Industry’s Growing Divide, Plus an Illinois Outdoor Home Grow | E318 54:49
4. Today, Illinois Expanded Medical Cannabis Access to 37 More Dispensaries | E317 15:03
5. Illinois Police Raided a Home Grow | E313 02:27:44