Author: Cole Preston
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Exclusive Follow Up: Outdoor cultivation of cannabis in Illinois
Traditionally, the cultivation of cannabis in Illinois has been confined to indoor facilities, with strict regulations ensuring that the plant is grown in controlled environments. In December 2023, after over a year of casual investigation, I released information suggesting that a select few cultivation centers in Illinois had been quietly granted permission to grow cannabis…
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Exclusive: Illinois State Cannabis Lab Nears Completion
Inspiration for This Article On December 10, 2021, the Chicago Sun-Times published a series of articles about cannabis testing in Illinois. On February 2nd, 2022, I released a conversation that I had with the lead journalists behind the Sun-Times commissioned lab testing, Tom Schuba and Stephanie Zimmerman. During the conversation, they explain their research which…
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Episode 117 – Pushing Boundaries in Illinois Cannabis Culture
In this episode, Cole sits down with Phillip, a fellow advocate, and the organizer of the Melt Market, a unique cannabis farmers market in Illinois. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of organizing underground cannabis events, discuss the importance of community involvement, and reflect on the evolving cannabis landscape in the state. Tune in…
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Episode 116 – Hemp in the Heartland: Legislative Insight with IL Rep. Dan Swanson
In this episode, I interview Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson at the 2024 Hemp Research Open House, co-hosted by the Illinois Hemp Growers Association and the University of Illinois. Recorded in the hemp fields of Urbana-Champaign, this conversation covers the latest legislative session, the ongoing debate between the hemp and cannabis industries, and the bipartisan…
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Episode 115 – From OnlyFans to Free Ross: Hemp, Freedom, and More with Martha Bueno
In this episode, I sit down with Martha Bueno, an entrepreneur, former political candidate, and passionate advocate for freedom. Martha shares her unique journey from running for office in Miami and becoming the first political candidate to use OnlyFans as a platform to expose the dirty underbelly of politics. She dives deep into her involvement…
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Episode 114 – Florida Amendment 3 and Hemp with Martha Bueno and Dank Informer
In this live episode, I am joined by guests Martha Bueno and The Dank Informer. The discussion focuses on the potential consequences of legalizing cannabis under the proposed amendment 3 in Florida Martha Bueno argues against Amendment Three, expressing concerns that it would grant monopolistic power to a few large cannabis companies, like Trulieve, potentially…
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Episode 113 – Inside The Melt Market: Illinois’ Cannabis Farmers Market
In this special episode, Cole sits down with the organizer of the Melt Market, a unique cannabis farmers market that brings together vendors, growers, and cannabis enthusiasts from across Illinois and beyond. They discuss the origins of the Melt Market, the challenges of organizing such events, and the importance of community involvement and collaboration with…
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Episode 112- The Science of Cannabis: Cultivation, Testing, and Quality Control
In this episode, I am joined by Kyle Baker, founder of Clean Theory. During the episode, we explore the complexities of cannabis cultivation and testing. We also discuss the evolution of third-party lab testing, the challenges of maintaining high standards, and the importance of robust quality control measures. Kyle explains the nuances of state regulations,…
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Exclusive: Uncovering Unpublished Cannabis Data – Illinois Cannabis Testing Results
Inspiration for my Request Investigation by Chicago Sun-Times On December 10, 2021, the Chicago Sun-Times published a series of articles about cannabis testing in Illinois. On February 2nd, 2022, I released a conversation that I had with the lead journalists behind the Sun-Times commissioned lab testing, Tom Schuba and Stephanie Zimmerman. During the conversation, they…
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Episode 111 – Amanita Muscaria Madness – Regina Moore
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Regina Moore, a semi-retired pharmacist and mushroom foraging enthusiast. During the episode, we explore the world of Amanita muscaria mushrooms, discuss their uses, the recent surge in their popularity, and the recent headline stories about mushroom products. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on psychedelics, regulation, and drug…
The Cole Memo 