Author: Cole Preston
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Episode 303 – What Florida and Illinois Get Wrong About Cannabis Legalization
Cole is joined by Florida cannabis advocate Evan Bentz for an in-depth conversation comparing Florida and Illinois cannabis policy. They discuss Florida’s medical cannabis program, the failed Amendment 3 campaign, why home grow remains off the table, and how limited licensing has shaped both states’ markets. Along the way, they examine patient access, corporate consolidation,…
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Episode 302 – Illinois Cannabis: Hidden Camera Investigation, Home Grow Debate, and Industry Consolidation
This week, I react to the disturbing discovery of a hidden camera inside an Illinois dispensary restroom before diving into a broader discussion about Illinois cannabis policy. I also share an update on the state’s cannabis seed tracking system, discuss why home grow remains illegal for most adults, and explore questions surrounding dispensary ownership limits…
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Episode 301 – Six Years of Illinois Cannabis: A Conversation with Chicago Tribune Reporter Robert McCoppin
For more than six years, Chicago Tribune reporter Robert McCoppin has documented the evolution of Illinois’ cannabis industry, from the earliest legalization debates to today’s fights over home grow, market concentration, ownership transparency, hemp, and continued criminalization. In this episode, Robert joins me to reflect on the stories behind the headlines and what he’s learned…
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Illinois Officials Respond to Questions About Cannabis Seed Sales
In a statement provided to The Cole Memo, Illinois state officials addressed questions surrounding cannabis seed sales. Questions on the topic cannabis seed sales are not new. In February 2020, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Pritzker administration was working with state agencies, cultivators, and dispensaries to develop a process that would allow medical cannabis…
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Episode 300 – Illinois Has More Cannabis Brands Than Ever. Fewer Companies Own Them.
Damian Fagon, policy director at the Parabola Center for Law and Policy, joins the show to discuss a new analysis of Illinois’ cannabis market and the structural advantages held by large multi-state operators and incumbent medical cannabis companies. We discuss market concentration, cultivation capacity, vertical integration, management agreements, consumer choice, and why hundreds of cannabis…
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Episode 299 – Oregon’s Legal Psilocybin Experiment Faces a Major Test
Dr. Eric Lee returns to The Cole Memo to discuss major changes facing Oregon’s legal psilocybin program. Lee explains how rising licensing fees could push operators out of the industry, why legal psilocybin sessions remain unaffordable for many people, and how his clinic is working to keep services accessible. Cole and Dr. Lee also discuss…
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Episode 298 – Illinois Signs Major Cannabis Overhaul, Plus Q&A With Brad Spirrison
The governor has officially signed Illinois’ latest cannabis omnibus bill into law, marking one of the biggest updates to the state’s cannabis regulations since adult-use legalization. In this episode, we livestream the signing ceremony from Sway Dispensary, break down the bill’s major provisions, and hear directly from Governor J.B. Pritzker, social equity operators, patient advocates,…
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Episode 297 – Illinois Homegrow: Can Medical Patients Actually Buy Cannabis Seeds?
Illinois law has allowed qualifying medical cannabis patients to purchase cannabis seeds from licensed dispensaries since adult-use legalization took effect, but six years later, patients still can’t buy them. In this episode, Cole Preston revisits reporting dating back to 2020, examines a 2022 response from state officials identifying Illinois’ seed-to-sale software as a potential obstacle,…
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Gov. Pritzker highlights SB3222 during ceremonial bill signing in Chicago
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday ceremonially signed Senate Bill 3222 during an event at SWAY Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago, where administration officials and lawmakers highlighted the measure’s changes to Illinois cannabis and hemp law. The Cole Memo live-streamed the entire ceremony and press conference. Readers can watch the full event here: https://youtube.com/live/-m2BZXC2ohU?feature=share According to…
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Gov. Pritzker to hold ceremonial signing for Illinois cannabis bill SB3222
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is scheduled to ceremonially sign Senate Bill 3222 at 10 a.m. Thursday during an event at SWAY Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago. According to the governor’s office, the ceremony will celebrate legislation intended to advance equity and strengthen oversight in Illinois’ cannabis industry. According to the governor’s office, an option for media…
