Author: Cole Preston
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Episode 226 – Trump’s Cannabis Decision Looms: The Opposition’s Perspective
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole speaks with Luke from Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) about President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on potentially rescheduling cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. Luke shares why he believes marijuana should remain Schedule 1, citing concerns over corporate influence, public health, and the federal scheduling system’s…
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Episode 225 – Trump Considers Rescheduling Cannabis, Illinois Offers New Loans
In this special episode of The Cole Memo, Cole breaks down breaking news on both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, President Trump has confirmed that his administration is “looking at” rescheduling marijuana, with a decision expected within the next few weeks. We review his comments, the political and industry reactions, and…
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Episode 224 – From Austin to Springfield: Cannabis Policy Battles Across States
In this episode of The Cole Memo, Cole returns with a live broadcast covering breaking cannabis news from Illinois, Texas, and beyond. A surprise guest from Texas Cannabis Collective joins to unpack the whirlwind special session in Austin, where a proposed hemp THC ban collided with flood relief, redistricting fights, and a dramatic quorum break.…
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Episode 223 – Suing the state of Illinois. Special guest!
In this episode, I’ll be joined by a special guest to discuss a lawsuit against the state of Illinois. Links mentioned during show
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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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