Author: Cole Preston
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Episode 222 – Cops, Crops & Courtrooms: Illinois Cannabis News Unpacked
In this episode of The Cole Memo, we unpack two big stories shaking up the Illinois cannabis scene. First, we dive into the controversy surrounding a new dispensary planned for West Ridge, partially owned by ten former police officers. While some see it as a redemption arc, others question the ethics of former drug enforcers…
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Episode 221 – Craig Katz on Hemp, CRTA, and the Future of Cannabis Policy in Illinois
Craig Katz joins the show to break down the policy tensions between Illinois’ regulated marijuana market and its largely unregulated hemp industry. As a board member for multiple trade associations and the compliance manager at CBDratom, Katz gives listeners an insider view into the push for House Bill 1—a legislative effort that would add labeling,…
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Another Outdoor-Cannabis Lawsuit Hits Illinois
Article Updated 07/25/25 at 4:43PM: This article now includes a statement shared by a representative for Curaleaf Chairman & CEO Boris Jordan. For nearly two years, I’ve been sharing details about a little-discussed aspect of Illinois cannabis policy: the state’s brief allowance and attempted reversal of outdoor cannabis cultivation for a small number of licensees.…
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Episode 220 – Choosing Both: Advocacy, Burnout, and Balance with Jean Lacy
In this deeply personal episode of The Cole Memo, I’m joined by longtime friend and inspiration Jean Lacy, founder of the Illinois Psychedelic Society. We talk about burnout, idealism, and how to keep moving forward in advocacy work without losing yourself in the process. Jean reflects on her powerful essay, “choosing both: rest and resistance,…
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Episode 219 – Inside Michigan’s Psychedelic Movement
In this episode, Cole sits down with Michigan drug policy advocate Julie Barron for an honest conversation about the state of psychedelic reform, community burnout, and the challenges of staying grounded when a movement starts to fracture. They discuss Ann Arbor’s unique culture, the evolution of Hash Bash, and how grassroots momentum led to real…
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Episode 218 – Descheduled Cannabis, Rescheduled Fentanyl & The Illinois Tax Trail
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down a whirlwind of news from the local to the federal level. He starts with a look at Texas, where Governor Abbott is calling a special session that could lead to new restrictions on hemp—but without banning it outright. Then, Cole dives into the newly signed…
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Episode 217 – Cannabis Raids, Lab Failures, and Illinois Cannabis Licenses Left Idle
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole checks in live to unpack some of the biggest cannabis stories of the week—from federal immigration raids on licensed California cannabis farms, to a scathing internal report on UIC’s faulty THC blood tests that may have tainted over 1,000 DUI cases. He also dives into a troubling…
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Episode 216 – The Economics of Cannabis: Price, Policy & Prohibition with Beau Whitney
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole sits down with economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics to unpack the complex realities behind cannabis market structures. From price elasticity and licensing limits to the rising tension between hemp and marijuana regulation, Beau explains what the data really shows. They also tackle how market access, consolidation,…
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Episode 215 – Federally legal cannabis survives another day in Texas
In this live stream, we’ll be discussing the failed attempt to ban federally-legal cannabis products in Texas. Links mentioned during show
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Episode 214 – Cannabis Policy in Maine featuring Derek Shirley
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole talks about odor proof updates + Metrc’s impact on Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients. Links mentioned during show
The Cole Memo 