Category: Odor-Proof Container
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Episode 269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works
In this episode, Cole sits down with longtime lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich to unpack how policy actually gets made behind the scenes in Springfield. With over 30 years of experience, Mark shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a key figure in state legislative affairs, working across cannabis, hemp, healthcare, and more.…
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Episode 268 – Cocaine Cash in Illinois? + Latest Cannabis Policy Updates
In this episode, I sit down with a fellow advocate to discuss a headline story involving alleged cocaine cash laundering tied to an Illinois cannabis licensee, along with the latest updates from Springfield. Links mentioned during show
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Episode 267 – Illinois Odor Laws, Alcohol Lobby Pushes to Halt Hemp Ban, Indiana Governor Signals Legalization
In this episode of The Cole Memo, we break down several key developments shaping cannabis policy right now. From ongoing confusion around Illinois’ odor-proof container law to new concerns about DUI testing accuracy, there’s no shortage of questions about how these rules are actually being applied in the real world. We also take a look…
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Episode 259 – MSOs Get Sued, Outdoor Grow Quietly Allowed in Illinois, What Illinois Got Wrong With “Legalization”, + More
This episode is packed with Illinois news and a national lawsuit that hits close to home. Cole breaks down his latest original reporting on outdoor cultivation being quietly allowed for a select few in Illinois, and asks the bigger question: who gets flexibility under state law, and who does not? He connects the screenhouse litigation…
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Episode 257 – Illinois Cannabis Sales Drop as Lawmakers Revisit Search Rules
Illinois lawmakers are once again trying to fix one of the most confusing parts of the state’s cannabis law. In this live broadcast, Cole breaks down House Bill 4782, a proposal that would prevent vehicle searches based solely on the smell of cannabis. The discussion explains how recent Illinois Supreme Court rulings treated raw and…
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Episode 251 – Announcement episode, cannabis news
In this episode, Cole makes a few announcements and shares the latest in Illinois cannabis news. Links mentioned during show
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Episode 250 – Illinois Is Still Arresting People for Weed, Even After “Legalization”
Cole is joined by recurring guest Phil to break down Part 1 of ColeMemo.com’s overview of Illinois’ 2025 annual cannabis report, a required compilation of updates from state agencies covering licensing, enforcement, public health, and revenue. They discuss IDFPR reporting that 93 dispensaries received operational licenses, the agency’s description of Metrc entering its post-launch phase,…
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Episode 249 – A Year in Review – Recapping 2025 Illinois and Federal Cannabis News
In this Three Dope Dudes crossover episode, Cole is joined by Aaron and Dave from Support Dope People to recap some of the most important cannabis stories of 2025. The conversation spans declining Illinois cannabis sales, stalled social equity licensing, continued arrests in a so called legal state, medical program updates, hemp policy confusion, and…
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Illinois May Cut 280E Tax Relief, According to Industry Group
Updated on 5/23/25 to include new posts/pictures from an Illinois cannabis industry group on this topic. In 2023, Illinois joined a growing number of states that decoupled from Section 280E of the federal tax code, allowing licensed cannabis businesses to deduct ordinary business expenses on their state taxes. The change was enacted as part of…
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Cannabis Odor Search Ban Advances in Illinois, but a “Compromise” Could Undermine Its Intent
On Friday, May 9th, an Illinois House committee voted 8-6 to advance Senate Bill 42, a measure sponsored by Senator Rachel Ventura (D) and House Representative Curtis J. Tarver, II (D). If the original language of SB42 is passed into law, the legislation that would prohibit law enforcement from using the smell of cannabis—raw or…
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