Category: Article
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Update from Illinois Cannabis Research Institute
I recently wrote about a new state reference lab, mentioned in the Chicago Tribune, which is part of the Cannabis Research Institute (CRI). CRI operates under the Discovery Partners Institute, a research center within the University of Illinois system. Tomorrow at 1 PM, the Cannabis Research Institute will host a livestream update featuring panelists and…
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Illinois Responds to ‘Hemp Hysteria’: Officials Clarify Intent of New Regulations
On November 12th, during a scheduled second reading of Illinois’ new hemp regulatory rules, state officials addressed mounting confusion and panic within the Illinois hemp industry. In the lead-up to the hearing, many people became increasingly concerned that these changes would drastically impact the market. In this article, I share perspectives from both the industry…
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Illinois Bureau of Cannabis Testing is Focusing “Exclusively on Getting Lab Open for State Testing”
Background I recently published an article that detailed the ongoing development of a state-run cannabis testing lab in Illinois. It highlighted my interactions with state officials, including representatives from the IDFPR and IDOA, who provided insights into the lab’s purpose and the anticipated role it will play in enhancing cannabis safety and regulatory compliance. The…
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Illinois Cannabis Division Manager David Lakeman Selected as Executive Director of Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
UPDATE 12/4/2024: David Lakeman has reportedly declined the offer to lead the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and will remain in Illinois On October 28, 2024, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) held final interviews for the Executive Director position. Among the candidates were Travis Ahern, Matt Giancola, Marty Golightly, and David Lakeman. The 3 commissioners…
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“Craft” Cannabis at Dual-Use Dispensaries, Medical Tax Rates, and Future Expansions
In this article, I detail the guidance from the Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office (CROO) regarding the sale of “craft-grown” cannabis at dual-use dispensaries and the application of the medical tax rate. I briefly highlight recent developments, as covered by Illinois News Joint, regarding the state’s efforts to expand medical tax rate access to all…
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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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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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Mini Doc Screening in Chicagoland on 9/18 at 5:30PM
Hi everyone, I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve booked another location for the screening of my mini-documentary! This event will be hosted by the amazing folks at Blue Island Beer Company and High Focus Media. You can purchase your tickets here. Limited seating available. If you can’t make it to the screening, the documentary will…
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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…
The Cole Memo 