Author: Cole Preston
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Illinois Releases 2024 Annual Cannabis Reports
On September 30th, as anticipated by The Cole Memo*, the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office for the state of Illinois published the 2024 Annual Cannabis Report. You can view the entire reports below.
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Episode 130 – Illinois Supreme Court on Cannabis Odor in Cars: What It Means
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston breaks down the Illinois Supreme Court’s landmark decision that the smell of burnt cannabis is no longer enough for police to search a vehicle. Joined by criminal defense attorneys Evan Bruno and Bob Galhotra, the trio dives deep into the implications of this ruling, the key…
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Episode 129 – Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban: Legal Battles and Policy Impacts
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston welcomes back Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner for an in-depth conversation on Illinois’ controversial assault weapons ban. They discuss the origins of the legislation, the ongoing legal battles, and its potential to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Jeremy breaks down the arguments from both gun rights…
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Episode 128 – Florida’s Amendment 3: Cannabis, Hemp, and the Battle for Reform
In this episode, Cole Preston is joined by Hirsh Jain to discuss the implications of Florida’s upcoming Amendment 3 vote, the complicated politics surrounding cannabis reform, and the ongoing debates over home grow and oligopolistic tendencies in the state’s marijuana industry. They also explore the growing tensions between hemp and cannabis markets, along with the…
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Illinois Supreme Court: Burnt Cannabis Odor Insufficient for Search, Unburnt Odor Decision to Come
On September 19th, as anticipated by The Cole Memo*, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a key ruling on the cannabis odor issue. The Court ruled that the smell of burnt cannabis alone can no longer justify a vehicle search. While the ‘odor-proof container’ language was a central topic in a hearing earlier this year, the…
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Episode 127 – VFW Raid Over Hemp Drinks: Cannabis Politics in Missouri
In this episode, Cole Preston sits down with veteran John Grady to discuss a raid by Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on a VFW post that offered hemp-infused beverages (exclusively) to its adult members. The conversation dives into the influence of money in Missouri’s cannabis policy, how it’s targeting the hemp industry,…
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Episode 126 – News in Under 10 Minutes
In this episode, I provide a high-level overview and commentary on cannabis-related stories that caught my attention. Topics include the launch of the Cannabis Research Institute in Chicago, the Illinois dispensary regulations effective as of August 2024, and the recent statements from former President Donald Trump endorsing Florida’s Amendment 3. Links mentioned during show The…
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Episode 125 – Inside the Loopholes: Hemp, THC, and Cannabis in 2024 with Zack Huffman
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston sits down with Zack Huffman, a journalist with roots in cannabis reporting, to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of cannabis regulation. They explore the impact of the 2018 Farm Bill, the controversy over hemp-derived THC products, and how states like Michigan and Missouri are cracking down…
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Episode 124 – Eli Lilly’s Secret Role in Cannabis Prohibition: A Deep Dive with Kelly Rippel
In this insightful episode of The Cole Memo, Cole Preston is joined by Kelly Rippel, an advocate with deep ties to Kansas cannabis reform and industrial hemp policy. Kelly shares groundbreaking research on the long-standing connections between pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and cannabis, including how corporate interests influenced cannabis prohibition in the Midwest. Kelly…
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Episode 123 – California’s Cannabis Crackdown with Cantrip CEO Adam Terry
In this episode, Cole Preston sits down with Adam, co-founder and CEO of Cantrip, to discuss the latest developments in California’s evolving hemp beverage regulations. Adam’s own product, Cantrip, made an unexpected appearance in a state press conference, and he shares his thoughts on the surprise and its implications for the hemp industry. They discuss…
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