The Cole Memo

This episode is available first exclusively to paid Patreon subscribers. It will be released publicly at a later date.

The episode follows Josh, a registered Illinois medical cannabis patient whose home was raided by police after authorities obtained a search warrant connected to his cannabis grow. We piece together what happened during the raid and the case that followed using body-camera footage, evidence, photos, court transcripts, and other records.

Josh ultimately fought the charges against him and got them dropped. His story raises broader questions about home grow, law enforcement and the limits of cannabis legalization in Illinois.

Congress has voted to delay the recriminalization of THC, sending the legislation to the President’s desk.

• Watch the episode on Patreon now by clicking here
• Watch the episode on Youtube here
  • Watch the short version here
• Stream the episode on Soundcloud here (coming soon)
• Stream the episode on Spotify here (coming soon)
• Stream the episode on Apple Podcast here (coming soon)
• Stream the episode on X here (coming soon)

Links mentioned during show

• Reporting on this case:
  • Ogle County man says he had legal right to grow cannabis and police should not have searched his home
  • Woosung man tells judge he has license to grow cannabis, pleads not guilty to criminal charges
  • Man charged with possessing 5,000 grams of cannabis granted continuance to October
  •  Preliminary hearing scheduled for Woosung man facing felony charges of possession of cannabis
  • Woosung man facing cannabis charges wants GPS, home detention conditions lifted
  • Police say search of Woosung man’s residence results in seizure of large amount of cannabis 
  • Judge to render decision in December regarding search of Woosung home   
  • Drug charges dismissed against Woosung man after judge’s ruling upheld
• Court transcript below