Author: Cole Preston
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Illinois Expands Medical Cannabis Program with 4 New Qualifying Conditions
For the first time in six years, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has approved four new conditions eligible for treatment with medical cannabis. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra approved the conditions after a board advisory review. The newly added conditions are: Qualifying patients must be diagnosed with a debilitating condition, as defined in…
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Push to Ban Federally-Legal Cannabis in Illinois Fails Alongside Cannabis Omnibus
In my last article, I wrote about the Lame Duck legislative session in Illinois. Ahead of the session, industry stakeholders intensified efforts to advance policy amendments to HB2911, which aimed to update the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act(CRTA). In addition to proposed amendments to the CRTA, Governor Pritzker expressed support for a bill (HB4293)…
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How Cannabis Policy Could Change for “Legal” Illinois in 2025
Illinois cannabis policy has made little headway over the last decade. Only a small number of proposed changes have successfully become law. This article explores what the future may hold for cannabis consumers and entrepreneurs in Illinois in 2025. The end of the article highlights key cannabis policy developments over the years. 2025: The Year…
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Episode 156 – Mini Doc: Cannabis Legalization in Illinois
This documentary uncovers the hidden flaws in Illinois’ cannabis legalization, detailing how excitement turned into a complex web of criminal penalties and inequities. Through in-depth analysis and interviews, it reveals how promises of reform were overshadowed by political interests and limited access, leaving many residents still facing criminal consequences for cannabis in a state where…
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Episode 155 – Mini Doc available now!
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston and Phil discuss the release of Cole’s new mini-documentary, now streaming at colememo.com/minidoc. They reflect on the challenges of Illinois’ cannabis legalization, touching on persistent criminalization, limited licensing, and the broader Midwest cannabis culture. Cole shares insights on the documentary’s impact, its role as an introduction…
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Episode 154 – Happy Holidaze
In this episode, I share the exciting news about the release of the final cut of my mini-documentary and let you know that the public feeds will be quieter during the holiday season. Links mentioned during show
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Episode 153 – A New Era for Cannabis: Hemp Policy and Cognitive Liberty
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole welcomes Shaleen Title back for a thought-provoking conversation on the state of cannabis legalization, the evolving role of hemp, and the pressing need for policy innovation. Shaleen reflects on her groundbreaking career in drug policy reform and shares her plans to focus on developing the next generation…
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Episode 152 – Breaking Down Illinois’ Hemp Crackdown
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston dives into Governor Pritzker’s press conference addressing a controversial bill aimed at regulating hemp-derived THC products in Illinois. Joined by fellow advocate Phil and Illinois Hemp Growers Association leaders Rachel and Chris Berry, they unpack the proposed legislation, its implications for small businesses, and the rhetoric…
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Illinois’ Cannabis Crackdown: Protecting Kids or Protecting Profits?
Earlier last week, I hinted that something interesting might happen on Friday the 13th. True to form, Governor Pritzker, after a surprise appearance in Paris and nearly three weeks out of the public eye, reemerged alongside cannabis regulators, lawmakers, the CEO of a candy company, and others to announce his support for a bill that…
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Episode 151 – Smells Like Trouble: Illinois Supreme Court’s Ruling on Cannabis Odor Searches
In this episode of The Cole Memo, I sit down with legal professionals Evan Bruno and Bob Galhotra to dissect the Illinois Supreme Court’s rulings on Redmond and Molina, two pivotal cases involving traffic searches and cannabis odor. We break down the broader implications of these rulings, discuss the controversial “odor-proof container” requirement, and examine…
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